Sticker shock hit the Community School District (CSD) Board of Trustees Jan. 8. Estimates for prioritized repairs to both schools came in around $1 million higher than expected, mostly for a new dry sprinkler system at the elementary school. 

“It was a surprise,” Chair Troy Lewis told the Register.  

In October, the board requested estimates to update old prices for a potential bond to repair what they defined as critical issues. The district said it prioritized repairs to systems that could cause significant disruptions to learning and cost significantly more if they fail.  

Wednesday, Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Superintendent Robert Kahler and Director of Facilities Dave Benner updated the trustees: After further research and several bids from contractors, the total estimate had increased from around $1.66 million to around $2.7 million.  

Repair issues at the high school include the roof, a fuel tank, two entrances and the heating and ventilation control system. At the elementary school, projects include the roof and parapets, and another fuel tank. Kahler reported estimates totaling $734,564 at the high school and $1,923,150 at the elementary school. 

The new estimates include updated pricing and over $220,000 in work added to October’s project scope. However, according to Benner, most of the increase is due to repairing the elementary school dry sprinkler system; originally, it was estimated at $400,000, but the lone contractor’s proposal came to $996,000.  

“It's higher than we anticipated,” Lewis said. “We're going to hold off on it for now until we can either rebid it or get a better idea from the contractor as to why their price is so much higher than we anticipated.” 

The board also requested information from Lavallee Brensinger Architects, who provided the initial estimate. They also asked to find out how much less it would cost if done with April’s $30 million referendum project. Members wanted to move ahead with planning the prioritized work so it could be started this summer in case the referendum bond is involved in an appeal against recent litigation. Kahler also said, if the project passes, $580,000 of the work in the critical repair bond is included. 

The board also considered work to replace fluorescent lighting in both schools with LED systems. According to Benner, the district received proposals for around $200,000 for both schools but the costs would be recouped in around five years due to energy savings.

The board did not make a motion for a repair bond, opting to discuss it further. They proposed discussing the lighting project at another time, or adding some of it to a 2025 school budget, and removing the dry sprinkler system from a bond.  

In other business, Kahler updated the board on an application to the Maine Department of Education Major Capital School Construction Program. He said four people from the state came for a tour, which is part of the process for each of the over 90 schools that applied. Kahler said he does not expect to hear significant updates until July.  

Kyle Canada, director of safety and security, reported on a risk assessment with Maine School Management Association, the school’s insurer. He said, overall, the schools did well. However, he did point out what he called minor issues, such as extension cords being plugged into power strips. “I was happy with our walkthrough, and he seemed pretty happy with it as well,” Canada said.