Around 30 people showed up at the March 31 public hearing about the Community School District’s (CSD) $1.6 million bond for priority repairs to the Boothbay region elementary and high schools. Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor residents asked the Board of Trustees and Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Robert Kahler about the repairs and how they would be funded.   

Kahler explained the bond is for items the Trustees have identified as “life safety improvements and critical repairs,” matching language in previous bonds and conditions reports. Projects at the high school include the roof, a fuel tank, security upgrades to the teacher’s entrance, gym windows, and the heating and ventilation control system, totaling $593,000. The $811,000 worth of work at the elementary school includes the roof and parapets, food refrigerators and freezers, and another fuel tank. The bond also includes a $196,000 buffer for contingencies.   

The district estimated the bond would cost around $2,304,000 after paying back the principal and interest, assuming 4% interest and a 20-year repayment plan. 

Kahler, the Trustees and Director of Facilities Dave Benner also answered questions from the public about the bond and work. They clarified that, if the $30 million major renovation bond succeeds, any overlapping repairs would be credited. Kahler also said if money is left over from the $1.6 million project, it could be used towards additional life safety improvements and critical repairs, subject to approval by the Trustees.   

Boothbay Harbor resident John O'Connell asked if the bond would lower future Trustee budgets since some of the repairs appear to be routine maintenance. Kahler said that may not be the case because some repairs have been deferred.   

“Part of the reasoning as to how we've ended up here has been with cuts to the budget and cuts for planned repairs,” Kahler said. “Our goal is to get caught up focusing primarily on safety, security and, again, keeping water out. Those very basic things ... Right now, this is just for the basic or critical stuff.”  

Boothbay resident Desiree Scorcia asked if state money through the Maine School Revolving Renovation Fund could be used. Kahler said the district had planned to apply, but these projects did not meet the state’s criteria for this round of funding. He said the district will apply for future rounds if applicable. 

The bond referendum is scheduled for April 24 for both Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor residents. However, Kahler said the voting will be counted as an aggregate and does not need to pass in both towns for the referendum to pass. If the bond is approved at the April 24 vote, Kahler said the district can capitalize on the summer construction season. “That's when we can do a lot of this important work and not disrupt the learning of the kids,” he said. 

The bond question reads: "Do you favor authorizing the Board of Trustees of Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District (the “District”) to issue bonds or notes in the name of the District for minor capital purposes in an amount not to exceed $1.6 million to make life safety improvements and critical repairs at Boothbay Region Elementary School and Boothbay Region High School?"