School space crunch forces towns to act

"I think we are presenting you with a very reasonable option." That was Superintendent Arthur Wittine's measured assessment of the Pembroke School Committee's scaled-down proposal for a four-classroom/two bathroom "turnkey" modular building to meet the elementary school's need for more space. About 30 residents came out October 19 to hear a presentation on the structure, why it is needed, and a plan to finance it.

Wittine began with a review of the committee's efforts since 2003 to find a way to meet the needs of town youngsters that would be affordable to taxpayers. The first proposal presented to voters was soundly defeated C a $2.2 million addition of four classrooms, including a science laboratory, a new kitchen, auditorium and stage, storage, office and conference areas, furnishings, and upgrades to the present structure. The committee got the message when referendum voters rejected the plan last year, 329-44.

Back at the drawing board, the committee came up with a new proposal for the town to consider, a stand-alone building that would be financed over five years at a net annual cost to local taxpayers of about $28,000. Wittine attributed the drastic reduction in cost to several factors: reducing the scope of the plan; eliminating the requirement to upgrade the entire facility to current code by planning for a separate structure; an unexpected annual state contribution of $15,232 to partially offset the coming year's rental of the old modular and to continue for each year of the repayment period; and the competition among bidders for the proposed project that resulted in a favorable low bid.

Wittine noted that Pembroke's enrollment since 1999 has varied from a low of 106 to a high of 119 students and presently stands at 114, a stable level for the six-year period. He pointed out that enrollment in the Union 104 schools has remained level, differing from the decline experienced by most Maine schools. Because area schools are retaining enrollment, he said they are not candidates for consolidation since they are all at capacity.

As for the space needs at Pembroke, Wittine explained that the present rented modular building, with a lease that expires in September 2006, has no water and no bathrooms. Principal Debbie Jamieson said the school is now serving some mentally and physically challenged youngsters who require one-to-one services by ed techs and therapists that are provided in hallways or in the multi-purpose room or in a converted closet. The art room is no longer available for art as it has been pressed into service for youngsters with special needs. There are no areas for parents to meet in private with the IEP (Individualized Education Program) team to discuss their children's progress.

Wittine said that four contractors submitted bids for the project that were opened October 12, with the low bidder, Triumph, at $399,400. He presented figures showing offsets to that figure of $147,000 from the school's capital improvement account and $78,000 in additional balance carried forward from the 2004-05 budget, leaving a balance to be financed of $165,000. A bond issue for five years would require annual payments of $37,500, less the $15,000 state reimbursement, for a net cost to taxpayers of $22,500 per year for five years.
Wittine told the audience the cost reflected a specification for a flat "rubber membrane" roof. He said he made a similar proposal to voters in Perry who suggested they would prefer a pitched asphalt roof. If Pembroke residents wished to make the same roof substitution, the additional $25,000 cost would bring the annual repayment to $28,000 for five years. Wittine asked for the audience's preference, and no one present favored the flat rubber roof over the pitched roof.

Wittine said the next step in the process will be for town selectmen to set a referendum vote to see if voters will authorize the town to borrow $190,000 to purchase the modular classroom structure. If approved, Wittine said the building is expected to be ready for use in September 2006, the date when the present modular would be returned to the leasing corporation.