Boat School given 11th hour reprieve as funding sought

Just before a July 15 deadline to come up with funding to cover a shortfall at the Washington County Community College's Marine Technology Center in Eastport and prevent its move to the Calais campus, the money appears to be forthcoming. Along with local funding, Governor John Baldacci agreed, at a July 15 meeting in Machias, to look for state funding to make up the difference. WCCC President William Cassidy then agreed to postpone moving equipment from the school to Calais.

"If the funding comes, it will stay in Eastport for the coming year," says Cassidy. "We would like to sustain it in Eastport if the resources are available."

He says that during that year a planning process would be undertaken. A committee would look at the facilities, ways to increase enrollment and funding assistance, along with other issues. Among those on the committee would be people from the community college and from the community at large.

Of the $123,000 shortfall, approximately $50,000 is being filled by renting excess space at the Boat School to local business interests. "This was a significant piece," says State Senator Kevin Raye, and was pivotal in approaching the governor for the remaining funding. At the Machias meeting, Baldacci indicated he was receptive to locating state funding for the remaining $75,000, according to Raye. Along with Raye, others at the meeting included Eastport City Manager George Finch, Dianne Tilton of the Sunrise County Economic Council, boatbuilding instructor Dean Pike and Rep. Ian Emery of Cutler and Rep. Howard McFadden of Dennsyville.

Raye says that Baldacci understood the importance of the Boat School, not only to the Eastport community but to the boatbuilding industry statewide.

"As a result of the meeting with the governor, I asked Cassidy to postpone the move, and he agreed," says Raye. "We want to use this time to formulate a plan for the future of the facility. We're not only interested in preserving the Boat School for one year. Our goal is to make the Boat School work."

One change would be to have more community input into the school. According to City Manager Finch, WCCC, the boatbuilding industry, the city and friends of the Boat School will participate in the creation of a business plan to maximize the benefits of the Eastport location. Finch says that the plan will help the facility grow and sustain its operations through a diversity of programs designed to meet the ever-changing needs of the students and the industry.

Ways to increase enrollment will also be considered. According to Cassidy, there were 26 applicants for the boatbuilding program this year, with 15 enrolling. He says 50% enrollment is about average for the college's programs. Although a couple of the students indicated that they would prefer to attend classes at the Eastport campus, Cassidy says a couple also indicated preference for the Calais campus, since dormitories are available there.

The Eastport City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, August 1, prior the council meeting to receive community input on the request to the state for a $10,000 planning grant. The plan that will be developed will be presented to the Maine Community College System board of trustees in November, prior to being sent to the governor in December.

"Our goal is to have it remain an integral part of the community college," says Raye.

Finch states, "This is truly a bold step we are taking as partners in the future of the Eastport campus, a step that will prove the feasibility of the program, thus effectively allowing the city to ensure the maximum future use and economic efficiency of the property."