Hopes for school construction in Sanford rose substantially last week with the release of the Department of Education’s capital improvement priority list. The number No. 2 placement of Sanford High School is good news for other York County school districts as well.

Sanford’s application for a high school construction project also encompasses the Sanford Regional Technical Center, which provides training for students from six other high schools: Traip Academy, York, Marshwood, Wells, Massabesic and Noble.

The school department has outlined ambitious plans for for a 21st century technical school as part of the Sanford High School project. Such an upgrade would help every student attending SRTC, and by helping to provide a better-trained workforce, it is likely to improve the region’s economy.

Any construction is still years away. The Sanford School Department now faces the challenge of devising a plan that will make good use of state and local resources.

It’s been 20 years since the last school construction project in Sanford, and Emerson School (No. 4), Lafayette School (No. 13) and Willard School (No. 36) are also high on the Department of Education list.

No money has been earmarked for any project. The list is a starting point for future funding decisions. Even if state funding becomes a reality, Sanford taxpayers should be prepared to share in what should be a substantial investment. — Nick Cowenhoven

Ӣ Ӣ Ӣ

Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.