SACO — Residents will likely vote on Nov. 8 whether to spend $21.5 million to build a new Young School and make improvements to Gov. Fairfield School.

But it will probably not be a landslide either way.

The subject of whether to build a new Young School has been heavily debated the past few years. A public hearing Monday night on a proposed referendum question was well attended, but only a handful of people spoke out on the matter.

Located at the corner of Tasker and North streets, Young School is a modular building constructed in 2004 when the city tore down the previous Young School due to mold infestation. The current school was built as a short-term replacement, and many school officials say it has outlived its life expectancy.

On Feb. 3, the school board gave initial approval for a referendum question that asks residents to vote on the construction of a new Young School and make improvements to Gov. Fairfield School, located at 75 Beach St. The proposal was moved forward to the City Council for final approval before going to the Nov. 8 ballot for a citywide vote.

The City Council gave its initial approval with a unanimous vote in July, and will likely give its final approval on Sept. 6.

Under the proposal, the new Young School would accommodate about 370 prekindergarten through second grade pupils, while the renovated Fairfield School would support 330 pre-kindergarten through second-grade pupils. Saco does not currently have pre-kindergarten classes.

Those who spoke up for the construction projects on Monday said Young School wasn’t sufficiently meeting the needs of students.

“It’s time for us to invest in our future,” said Young School parent Christina Shea.

She said staff have had to creatively use the space at Young School, holding occupational therapy sessions in hallways and indoor recess on snowy or rainy days in classrooms.

Those who spoke against the construction projects asked city officials to wait.

“What I am suggesting is, go very slow with this,” said resident Donald Sandos.

Sandos said the city needed to consider that it may also be funding other construction projects in the future, such as a new public works building.

He also said with new construction in north Saco, there may be a future boom in population, and a new school built in the next couple of years might not be big enough as the student population grows.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.