RSU Board hears plans for KHS, KCS, and MLD Renovations

From: "AlertNow Message from RSU 21" <RSU21@RSU21.net>
Date: November 20, 2012, 12:10:55 PM EST
Subject: RSU Board hears plans for KHS, KCS, and MLD Renovations

November 20, 2012

RSU 21 Board Receives Update on Capital Building Projects
On Monday, Nov. 19, the RSU 21 Board of School Directors heard from representatives of three building committees along with consultants from Harriman Architects and Engineers and Superintendent Andrew Dolloff regarding plans for major renovations to Kennebunk High School, Kennebunkport Consolidated School, and Mildred L. Day School in Arundel. The total cost of the three plans is estimated to be somewhere between $61.7M and $66.8M, depending upon the options selected by the Board.

Norm Archer, chair of the Consolidated School Building Committee and member of the RSU Board, shared plans for a $9.8M expansion and renovation of Kennebunkport’s only school facility. The plans call for a complete overhaul of the antiquated electrical, mechanical, and life safety systems, as well as the demolition of the existing gym to allow for the creation of a separate gymnasium, cafeteria, library, and kitchen facility. Currently, they gym doubles as a cafeteria during the day, and the library is located in a former classroom. The plan also calls for the elimination of portable classrooms by adding rooms for art and music instruction, and a complete reworking of traffic patterns and parking areas, increasing safety for students and accessibility to the building. Archer encouraged the Board to support the project, saying, “KCS is a true neighborhood school-- an integral part of life in Kennebunkport, used year round by both the district and town residents. However, after years without capital improvement, the time has come to address significant life safety issues and prepare the facility for the next 25-30 years. In that spirit, this committee has incorporated input from parents, teachers and an active town leadership to develop a thoroughly considered renovation plan.”

The plan for Mildred L. Day School, which serves Arundel’s kindergarten through grade 5 students, calls for approximately $4M in renovations, including updating of electrical, mechanical, and life safety systems and the addition of several classroom spaces. Currently, classes such as art and music are held in a portable classroom. By adding instructional space to the plan, the need for portable space is eliminated. Kevin Crowley, Principal at M.L. Day expressed pleasure with the committee’s recommendation. “The staff and students at the school are excited to be discussing a plan which allows the entire K-5 population to be unified in the main wing of our building, eliminating the need for children to attend classes in the outside portable classroom.”