Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Keith Laser announced to Community School District trustees April 7 the next round of economic relief funds will bring $917,000 to the CSD. He said the funds will need to be spent by October 2023.

AOS 98 Director of Plant Operations and Maintenance Dave Benner said among the costs which will be funded is a COVID-19-based custodial job. He said the full-time job is open for the 2021-2022 year and for the rest of the current year which taps into existing Elementary and Secondary School Economic Relief (ESSER) funds.

“It consists of continuous cleaning of the high touch areas in the schools,” Benner said. “So, we have a full-time person in each school.”

For the third year in a row, health insurance rates for CSD employees did not increase, Laser said. After adjusting health insurance rates in the draft budget to 0% from the anticipated 3% rise, the budget is on track for a 1.4% increase. The trustees and school committee expect to approve sending the budget to voters once economic relief funds can be discussed.

Laser said the building committee is in the first phase of the master plan process which consists of posting a request for qualifications from architectural firms. RFQ’s will close at noon April 30 and each packet will be opened at a meeting to be held at Boothbay Railway Village, he said. “Then the (committee) can look at it and decide how many they want to invite in to actually meet with and ask to apply for the job … Progress is moving along.”

Benner said roofing company Tecta America recommends a new EPDM rubber overlay with a 20-year warranty for a 7,500 square foot portion of Boothbay Region Elementary School's roof. The only question remaining is whether or not the project will have to include an insulation upgrade.

While he awaits Boothbay Harbor Code Enforcement Officer Geoff Smith's guidance on requirements, Benner said he received quotes of around $150,000 to upgrade insulation. Replacing the 1990’s era asphalt shingles without the added insulation will be substantially less, he said.

“This isn't in the budget for this year, but for planning purposes, I think moving forward is (smart).”

While funds for the preferred maintenance HVAC contract with Honeywell are in the draft budget, Benner said he is still speaking with representatives from Mechanical Services about taking over HVAC maintenance and awaits its estimates for a contract. Benner said the company is a little concerned about working with Honeywell's proprietary equipment and automation system, but is confident it can work with the system. “Honeywell's opinion is, 'Well, this is our equipment and we don't just let people use it.’ So, I don't know where all this is going to land."

Trustees approved Benner’s 2021-2022 contract of $72,598.62 with an extension to 2022-2023. A pay cut results from Benner shifting transportation duties to Director of Safety and Security Kyle Canada.