BATH

Two school systems planning for state-funded high schools are looking at applying to the Maine Department of Education for other needed school projects.

Applications are due April 14, 2017, for a new round of major capital construction projects. Schools could undergo a major renovation or addition or complete replacement.

The DOE will review the applications and create a needs-based priority list. The entire application and review process is expected to take about two years.

Superintendent Patrick Manuel of Regional School Unit 1 said the RSU will probably submit at least one application. It has some questions for the DOE about the process.

Last year, school board members, staff and parents examined which grade configuration is best for students. In Bath, Dike- Newell School houses grades pre-k to 2 and grades 3 through 5 are at Fisher Mitchell School.

At the end of that analysis last year, the school board voted to keep configurations as they are because there would be a cost to retrofit both schools to allow for grades pre-k through 5. Many do believe pre-k to 5 schools would be in the best interest of kids educationally, Manuel said.

People he’s spoken to feel like it would make more sense to consider returning to a pre-k to grade 5 configuration by building a new facility. There is question as to whether this would move them up on the priority list.

“I think we’ll be submitting an application, or maybe two. We just haven’t had the chance to have that dialogue,” Manuel said.

The two RSU 1 elementary schools didn’t land well on the priority list developed by DOE following the 2010- 11 application cycle. Fisher Mitchell School ranked 60 and Dike-Newell School only 67 out of the 71 projects that made it onto the priority list.

School Administrative District 75 is also planning for a new high school, but may be submitting a new application for one of its elementary schools.

Superintendent Brad Smith said on Nov. 17 he will recommend to the SAD 75 school board that the district submit an application to pursue some long-term needs at Harpswell Community School.

Of course realistically, it could take a lot for the project to raise to the top.

“I’m expecting just in conversations I’ve had with other superintendents that there’s going to be strong interest around the state in submitting projects for consideration. That is a very time consuming process that will take us right up to April if the board approves us to go ahead,” Smith said.

RSU 5 — consisting of Freeport, Durham and Pownal — will not be applying for this cycle because its facilities needs don’t rise to the level of need required to draw funding through that process, said Superintendent Becky Foley.

She said the RSU is in the midst of a locally-funded high school renovation project, which is 82 percent complete and slated to be finished in August. For other needs that arise, the RSU will address through the normal budget process.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

What about RSU 5?

• RSU 5 — consisting of Freeport, Durham and Pownal — will not be applying for this cycle because its facilities needs don’t rise to the level of need required to draw funding through that process, said Superintendent Becky Foley.