SANFORD — A public hearing on two school referendum questions is set for 7 p.m. tonight at City Hall. This is a second public hearing on the proposal to build a new high school and technical school.
Voters in Sanford and Springvale village go to the polls Jan. 13 to vote on two questions.
The first asks voters to approve the base project at $100 million, which includes about $7.9 million in local funds, with the bulk of the project ”“ about $92 million ”“ paid through the state’s school construction program.
The base project, covered in the first question, includes construction of a new Sanford High School and Sanford Regional Technical Center, and includes site acquisition, building construction, and site improvements including athletic fields, parking and more.
Items to be financed through the $7.9 million local portion of the bond are expected to include a performing arts center, increased space in the second gymnasium, portions of student common and presentation areas, portions of the site costs, field lighting, irrigation, outdoor bleachers, a concession stand, portions of an added softball field, a fourth tennis court, mechanical system improvements, portions of equipment, a community reserve, and stadium utility preparations, according to the proposed referendum question.
City and school officials say when the bond payment, energy consumption and maintenance are configured, someone with a home with a 2014 value of $160,000 would save about $22 per year in taxes.
If the first question is approved, the second question asks voters to authorize an additional $2.7 million in supplemental improvements, which include additional bleachers, lighting, turf upgrades, additional parking and dehumidification.
Sanford was chosen by the state as a location for a new high school and technical center a couple of years ago. It is projected to cost about $100 million, and will offer several more technical programs to students from Sanford and several other York County communities.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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