By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

South Portland school officials will decide in March whether to send the issue of renovating the high school to voters. 

The South Portland Secondary Schools Facilities Committee delivered its final renovation plan to the board of education Monday night. The project is estimated to cost $41.9 million – a scaled-down version of the $56 million plan voters defeated in 2007.

The board accepted the plan without voting to approve or reject it and put off making a decision about how to pay for renovations. 

Besides borrowing bond money, committee and board members also discussed using school and city surplus funds and raising taxes to pay for the renovation.

South Portland Finance Director Greg L’Heureux said he did not know if the city council would approve committing reserve funds to the renovation or agree to raise taxes.

“In totality, a $41 million bond would have a pretty significant increase in your tax rate,” L’Heureux said.

Board Chairman Rick Carter said a decision about adopting the plan would be made at a meeting scheduled for March 8. If the board approves the plan, it will then decide when to put the measure out to a referendum for South Portland voters. 

The referendum was expected to take place this June. However, the board now is leaning toward postponing the referendum because the school district faces a state funding curtailment of $1.2 million this year and a projected school budget deficit of $2.4 million next year.

The referendum could happen in June, November or it could be pushed back to next year based on comments made by various board members at the last two meetings.

“We have not voted so nothing is off the table,” Carter said.

In the meantime, the board wants to gather more public input about the new plan. The plan will be posted on the school department’s Web site, www.spsd.org, to solicit feedback from South Portland residents.

Don Russell, a marketing professional recruited by Godin several weeks ago, agreed to donate his services to the project for free. 

In an e-mail last week Russell said he would like to help with the project when officials are ready.

“I am still going to stay engaged, go to meetings, be on standby, and see where I might help,” he said.

Committee Member Kathy Germani said the reduced cost was achieved by excluding an artificial field, second gym, four classrooms and reducing the overall size of the plan by 29,000 square feet. She called it a “compacted plan” that would improve security, provide energy efficiencies and code upgrades.

Principal Jeanne Crocker described it as a plan for the “21^st century student.”

She said it would improve learning spaces by providing better lighting, heating and ventilation. Crocker also said the plan would offer a better location for educational program spaces and help students psychologically by giving them a safe, positive and comfortable environment. 

Several board members said city council support for the plan is crucial before asking voters to approve a bond by referendum. 

“We need to bring the city council on board because of the monetary impact on the community,” board member James Gilboy said. “I would recommend that we have a meeting with the city council before approving this plan.”

Board Member Alan Livingston praised the committee for its work and signaled his support for the plan. 

“I know they put their heart, their soul and their passion into the project. This appears like we can take care of current and future generations of students,” Livingston said.

Four residents spoke in favor of the plan, including Susan Adams. 

“I think this is a fabulous plan and I think you guys should embrace the plan,” she said. “I really think the city council needs to be brought into the discussion about how to pay for it. This will affect the entire community.”

South Portland resident Albert Dimillo said he was opposed to the plan because of cost. 

“The proposal as stated is ridiculous,” Dimillo said. 

“Twenty five million is more than enough to do everything. You will never pass a bond issue for $42 million – not in a million years. If you care about the kids, get the project down to $25 million.”

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.