Biddeford High School needs renovations, without a doubt. Among other issues, the front stairs are cracked, classrooms are often either too hot or too cold, some classes are overcrowded, and the building is not energy efficient. 

On Tuesday, the City Council took the first step in placing a $34 million dollar high school renovation bond before voters this November. The council has one more vote on the matter before it is confirmed for the ballot.

However, despite all the work and consideration of the committees involved, voters will most likely reject such a hefty bond if they find out the impact on their tax bill. The renovation bond, as it currently stands, is expected to raise taxes by about 93 cents per $1,000 of assessed property, or $186 on a $200,000 home annually.

While the renovation plans have been cut back from such grand proposals as an entirely new building, $34 million is still a lot of money. Although the economy has started a slow recovery, many are still out of work and doing their best to make ends meet. For many residents, adding nearly $200 to their tax bill so that the high school can have a two-story addition, expanded library, security system and fancier theater may not sound like a fiscally responsible choice right now.

The buildings are structurally sound, according to an engineer’s review. Yes, the high school’s heating system needs to be repaired and some painting and sprucing up is in order. Other work that is required for the school to keep its accreditation should be done. And, yes, the school needs to be handicapped accessible throughout and brought up to current building and fire codes. The fact that it is not up to code or ADA standards right now is an embarrassment to the community ”“ and that we’ve let the building deteriorate to this point is a shame. 

A regularly funded maintenance schedule should have been in place for the building through the years to avoid such a large lump sum today. Plans should have been developed to replace items such as flooring every few years or so, and the city should have saved up for larger expenses, such as new windows.

The city has chosen not to propose a series of smaller bonds for the work, fearing that some might pass and others would not, leaving the work unfinished, but perhaps that would be a better alternative. The first bond could include the most pressing needs, while subsequent bond requests would cover more minor upgrades. That might be more palatable to the voters and would help them to have a say on which improvements they feel are important.

The City Council has so far chosen not to include their recommendation for or against the bond, which voters would see on the ballot in November. Some of the councilors are just not comfortable telling voters to give their stamp of approval on such a high price tag ”“ as well they shouldn’t be.

We as a nation are dragging ourselves out of a credit-induced stupor ”“ a time when we bought all we wanted whether we had the money to pay for it or not. Now everyone is trying to learn from the credit mistakes of those days by being more frugal, but taxpayers are expected to fund extensive renovations to the high school?

Granted, a bond is not a credit card, but it is still borrowing beyond many taxpayers’ comfortable means to pay it back. The necessary repairs to the building should be made, without question, to ensure a proper learning environment for our students, but in a time when nearly everyone is cutting back on expenses, much of the $34 million plan can wait.

All of the appropriations in the renovation plan can be argued for, of course. Who wouldn’t love to see our students performing in a nicer theater, protected by an improved entrance and new fire alarms or our administrators using a new office space and intercom system?

Anyone can think of dozens of improvements to their workspace or home that would be nice, but as a community we are facing a period in our economy when it is time to focus on needs, not wants. There are some serious repairs and upgrades that need to be done at Biddeford High School, but not $34 million worth of them.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen Schulze Muszynski or Nick Cowenhoven at 282-1535 or kristenm@journaltribune.com or nickc@journaltribune.com.