By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

South Portland residents may get another chance to vote on a bond issue to renovate the city’s high school.

The Secondary Schools Facilities Committee voted last week 12-1 to send the question to a public referendum in November.

Committee member and city councilor Tom Blake cast the dissenting vote.

“This November is too close. We need to put a winner out there,” Blake said. “Our marketing campaign hasn’t dug in with the public. Our own marketing consultant has said next year. I tend to agree with him. I think next year would be better.”

Blake was referring to Don Russell, a marketing professional donating his time to the committee until the end of May.

While Russell did not attend last week’s meeting, he has said he favors a June 2011 referendum date to provide sufficient time to educate the public about the issue.

Russell said Monday the committee’s decision was not a surprise. 

“I respect their right to do what they want to do,” Russell said. “From a professional standpoint, I’m not sure that it makes sense. It’s a difference of opinion and that’s OK,” Russell said.

South Portland residents in 2007 defeated a $56 million referendum for a high school upgrade. This time, voters may be asked to approve a $41.9 million plan the board of education endorsed March 8.

The board will consider the committee’s proposal next month, said board chairman Rick Carter.

“I strongly believe that a November election is the way to go with this project,” Carter said. “The momentum is moving forward. I believe we can do it.”

The proposal must be approved by the city council before it is put on the November ballot,

A decision on whether to hold the referendum in November should made by late July or early August, City Clerk Susan Mooney said earlier this month.

Carter said the gubernatorial election in the fall will draw many voters to the polls and he wanted a strong mandate from the people to decide this issue.

Several committee members cited cost savings as a major reason for voting in November instead of waiting until June 2011 or later.

Dan Cecil of Harriman Architects and Engineers, the project’s designer, said waiting until next year could add $3 million to the total cost. The price of labor and materials probably will go up as the economy improves, Cecil said.

“I don’t know how long this market’s going to last but we’d rather go sooner than later. The sooner you get structure up, the sooner the other trades can come in,” Cecil said.

Construction could begin in spring 2012 if the bond is approved this fall. Lead time is required to complete the bidding process and get necessary permits, Cecil said. 

 “We have to decide as a community if we are going to do this or not.  I really believe November is the right time,” said Superintendent Suzanne Godin

Ralph Baxter Jr., board of education and facilities committee member, said  educating children was his number one reason for supporting a November referendum.

“The most important thing is what’s best for the students,” Baxter said. “This is the time to do this.”

 In related business, Godin announced that 51 residents were nominated to participate in a communication subcommittee workshop. The group will help shape a message to sell the high school renovation plan to the public.

The workshop was approved by the facilities committee March 25 and will be led by Russell. It has been scheduled for April 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. The agenda will include meeting objectives, an overview of the current situation, profiling the target audience, tactical brainstorming and next steps.

Results of the workshop will be reported to the facilities committee May 20.

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