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MSAD 11 board approves moving forward on $226,000 high-school remediation project; district to cover roughly $76,000
Summary
The MSAD 11 school board voted to advance a $226,000 indoor-air-quality and moisture remediation project at Gardener Area High School; the district would repay about $76,000 (0% loan, estimated up to 10 years) and the project will appear on the ballot with the budget.
The MSAD 11 school board voted March 5 to move forward with a $226,000 school-revolving-renovation project aimed at addressing long-standing moisture and indoor-air issues at Gardener Area High School. Superintendent Katie Gold told the board the state awarded the smaller portion of a package the district sought and that the district would be responsible for repaying roughly $76,000 of the total cost.
Why it matters: The work seeks to fix groundwater intrusion and drainage problems that staff and facilities engineers say are pushing moisture and musty odors into occupied spaces. Administrators said the problem stems from the building’s original construction (no vapor barrier and minimal insulation in areas) and that targeted drainage work should address the root cause.
Gold summarized the funding mechanics and timing, saying the award will require a bond-bank application this month and that the referendum for the project will appear on the same ballot as the district budget. “We were approved for the project at $226,000,” the superintendent said, adding that the district’s repayment obligation would be about $76,000. Board members discussed financing duration and agreed a 10-year term would be the maximum they would consider to avoid carrying debt into any future large capital decision.
Board members pressed for clarity on risk: if bids exceed the award, the district would be responsible for overages; if voters reject the referendum, the district would not proceed and would not carry the financial obligation. Facilities staff explained the remediation would add drainage across the front of the building and install missing vapor barriers where engineers recommended them. “We have a moisture problem at the high school,” a facilities representative said, describing recurring standing water and a musty odor that has worsened over time.
Next steps: The board voted to advance the bond-bank application and to place the referendum on the budget ballot; if voters approve both the budget and the project referendum, the district will proceed with the remediation. If the referendum fails, the project will not move forward and no district repayment will be required.
