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Adams School needs attic, circulation fixes as Castine faces a 5.8% school budget increase
Summary
School Board Chair Johanna Barrett told the Selectboard the district has 46 students and a 5.8% draft budget increase largely tied to teacher negotiations and a state calculation error on secondary tuition; engineers say Adams School is structurally sound but attic and stairwell work is needed, and the board plans a May Town Meeting article to move surplus funds.
Johanna Barrett, chair of the Castine School Board, reported current enrollment of 46 students and noted 23 students in grades 9–12 for whom the town pays secondary tuition. Barrett said teacher contract negotiations are expected to conclude next week and that a 3rd-draft budget shows a 5.8% increase over last year, partly to correct a state calculation error on secondary tuition.
Engineers from Haley Ward reviewed the 187-year-old Adams School and concluded the building is fundamentally sound, Barrett said, but identified the attic as the most significant issue and flagged stairwell joists and drainage/gutter work that will require funding. Barrett said most funds needed are in town surplus and that the School Board will include a May Town Meeting article to transfer surplus funds into a reserve account to pay for the repairs.
The School Board is also exploring repurposing attic space; detailed costs and scope will be available after negotiations and further planning. The Selectboard will consider the School Board’s article as part of the May 10 town meeting agenda.
