In response to your Oct. 4 editorial, “Problems don’t add up to $55 million,” I respectfully disagree with your position and offer the following. While you highlight that the approach to the Westbrook and South Portland projects has been very different, I will agree, the approaches have been different; however, the projects in and of themselves are very different and therefore different approaches to the problems are necessary. Just because they are both school projects does not make them equal.

Early in the process of the Secondary Schools Facilities work, an extensive review was done of all our secondary buildings and the problems they face. Many hours were spent reviewing the state scoring system that places buildings on the list for state-funded repair or replacement. What the committee found was that though one of the highest-ranking issues for us is the safety and security of our students and staff, that ranks very low on the state scoring scale. The same holds true for air quality, handicap accessibility and energy efficiency.

Problems in older buildings such as Mahoney Middle School dealing with sprinkler systems, open stairwells and brick over wood construction provide many more points on the scoring scale. Oddly enough, Mahoney, which the committee determined to be in the best shape of all the secondary facilities, would most likely receive the highest score under the state scoring scale. The committee determined the best course would be to move forward in an attempt to gain state funding for the middle schools through the Maine Capital School Construction Program and recommend local funding with regard to the high school.

The committee determined it would be in the best interest of the high school project to apply for state funds under the Revolving Renovation Fund as money becomes available and applications are accepted by that fund, and fully intends to do so. This approach was very effective on the elementary schools project and was instrumental in saving $10 million (money that was never bonded) over the course of that project. This committee’s recommendation was presented to the school board and accepted. You can find more with regard to that report at ssfsc.spd.org. The middle schools still await an opportunity to submit an application to the state for consideration on the funding list. The state last accepted applications for the 2004-2005 cycle.

Though you highlight the umbrella in the library and the size of the lockers, those issues do not even scratch the surface of the problems in our high school. Though many of the problems may seem trivial when viewed on their own, when taken cumulatively, they add up to very serious issues. There is a very strong possibility that this could adversely affect our district, as the high school is currently in the midst of being re-accredited and the facilities that we provide to students and staff are paramount in that process.

Why $55 million? Each issue on its own seems fixable, but each issue then requires attention to other areas. To do each on its own in a piecemeal fashion would far exceed the $55 million price tag.

There is no easy fix to provide safe and reliable access to the entire building for all students, staff and visitors with 11 different levels and two elevators, one of which is undersized and non-compliant with today’s building codes, and the other which only connects two levels.

There is no easy fix to the lack of a main entrance visible by office personnel, and approximately 22 additional unmonitored entrances and exits.

There is no easy fix to building circulation that provides no easy way from one side of the building to the other, with a traffic pattern that requires students to traverse an outside service drive area to get to and from classroom areas and the cafeteria.

There is no easy fix to an annex wing that, though “grandfathered,” does not meet current building codes, with areas of wall separating from the floor and water infiltration and air quality issues throughout.

There is no easy fix to a site where approximately 35 acres from upper Highland Avenue drain beneath it and soil conditions range from extremely soft clay to ledge.

There is no easy fix to a gymnasium built in 1956 that provides no handicap access to lower levels, has inadequate ventilation, does not meet ADA and life and safety requirements with regard to bleacher seating and has little to no visibility for supervision by teachers and administrators.

There is no easy fix to ceilings, pipes and floors that contain asbestos.

There is no easy fix to outdated electrical throughout the building, with a system that is unable to handle the advances in technology necessary to keep our students on track with the learning of today.

There is no easy fix to the lack of appropriate spaces for programs that are mandated by the state and federal governments.

There is no easy fix to the changing face of South Portland, with its evolving demographics and changing community education needs.

With the passage of each year, problems compound and costs increase. An extensive breakdown of costs and what areas of the project they relate to was completed by the committee and can be found at ssfc.spsd.org under the documents tab. Rob Coombs, the city finance director, completed a summary of the tax impact of the project on the average South Portland home. The cost per average household will be approximately $5,181.07 spread over the 20 year life of the bond.

Carrie Hall-Indorf

South Portland