AOS central office may move out of Eastport

The AOS 77 central office may be heading out of Eastport to a new site outside of the AOS regional school district and for an annual cost that could be more than five times as much the current amount paid by the AOS for the space. At a meeting on March 11 in Dennysville, the AOS 77 board voted to authorize Superintendent MaryEllen Day to look at and possibly enter into a lease agreement with the Town of Robbinston for use of the former grade school, which has been vacant for nine years.
The reasons for moving include a possible need for classroom space at the Eastport Elementary School, where the central office is currently located; student safety concerns; and the lack of a lease agreement with possibly additional rental payment for the current space.
Although the elementary school has less than a third of the number of students that it was built for, Day understands that the school would like to be able to use the three classrooms that are presently occupied by the AOS central office. However, she also says, "No one came to my office to say they needed the space."
In addition, at the November 15 meeting of the Eastport School Committee, Colleen Dana-Cummings, who is a city councillor but was not representing the city council at the meeting, had stated she would like to see a written lease for the central office to be housed in the elementary school. The matter, though, has not been discussed by the city council, and the city owns the school building. The AOS has been paying Eastport $4,500 a year for a number of years, which may have been a figure arrived at to cover any utility costs, but it does not pay an additional rent amount. At the meeting, Day noted that if rent was charged the AOS board might look at other locations for the central office.
While Robbinston town officials have indicated they would not currently charge rent for use of the former school building, utility costs would need to be covered. According to the superintendent, that amount is estimated to be about $25,000 a year, or more than five times the current annual amount. Not all of the building would be used by the AOS office, and Day understands that Robbinston officials may want to move their town office to the former school building.
Day would like to have the central office moved to Robbinston this summer, and for the first year Robbinston would charge $4,500. The superintendent would like to see a long-term lease agreement with the town, and she's not sure if the town will need to vote on the lease. She does note that there is a small area in the building that was damaged by a leak in a bathroom that will need to be repaired.
The Eastport school was built for 350 students and currently has 90, but there are not any classrooms that are not being used, according to Day. She says that, with some students needing one-on-one ed techs and counselors, all of the available space in the school is occupied. Also, a concern has been raised about student safety, as those coming to the AOS central office pass through the front portion of the school and may not always be escorted back from the office to the entrance. It's been noted that either establishing a protocol on escorting visitors or adding a separate door to enter the central office from outside the building could address that concern.
Other options that were considered for the central office include the former superintendent's office that is next to the elementary school, but that could be too small for the number of current staff, and the Charlotte Elementary School, which is slated to close at the end of this year. However, Day understands that the town would like to use the building for a new town office and for the historical society.
As for commercial properties available in the area, two that were mentioned include the former New Friendly Restaurant in Perry, which is listed for $349,900, and a commercial property in downtown Eastport that is listed for $850,000. She says both properties would need work done on them, and the costs are "unrealistic."
In other action at the March 11 meeting, the AOS board approved the use of an AOS staff evaluation tool and 31 policies for the AOS, along with reviewing 11 more policies. Krista Vining of Charlotte was reelected chair and Erin Guire of Baring was reelected vice chair of the board.