KENNEBUNK — After a tour of Kennebunk High School Monday night, one resident said he was "shocked" while another said it's "obvious" that improvements need to be made.
While approximately 30 people attended a public hearing Monday held by the RSU 21 Board of Directors on the proposed $74.8 million renovation projects, with a number speaking in support of the $53.5 million plans to renovate Kennebunk High School, others questioned costs. The renovations to KHS are one of three projects making up the $74.8 million question voters will be asked to decide on Jan. 21 — including $11.3 million for proposed renovations to Mildred L. Day School and $9.96 for proposed renovations to Kennebunkport Consolidated School.
Held in the cafeteria of KHS following a tour of the building open to the public, much of the discussion centered around the high school building project.
"Frankly,
I am shocked at what I saw. This building is horrifying, it's
horrifying," said Kennebunk resident Neil McMahon. "One of the reasons
we moved to this town was because of the education that our kids are
getting, and they are getting a fantastic education. The educators here
get the highest marks, but this building is at the end of its
line...;Walking through this building it feels like you're going through
a corn maze and it feels prison-like."
The board released projected operating costs for the three building projects for the first time Monday, a request of residents at recent board meetings and public hearings.
According to the figures released, current annual operating costs — mechanical, electric, heat, water and sewer — total $77,769 at Consolidated School, $82,745 at Mildred L. Day School and $307,480 at Kennebunk High School. Projected figures show that operating costs could increase to $92,600 at Consolidated, $84,900 at M.L. Day and $399,400 at KHS after the renovations.
Hearings, tours planned
Additional public hearings on the building
projects will take place on Monday, Dec. 2 at Mildred L. Day School and
Monday, Dec. 16 at Consolidated School. The public hearings will begin
at 7 p.m. with tours of the facilities offered starting at 6 p.m.
Additional tours will be offered: on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 9 a.m. at M.L. Day, 10:30 a.m. at Consolidated and noon at KHS; Saturday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. at M.L. Day and 10:30 a.m. at KHS; and Saturday, Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. at M.L. Day, 10:30 a.m. at Consolidated and noon at KHS.
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