Schematics of a proposed pre-K through Grade 2 elementary school to replace the Coffin School show a red brick building with three wings, two floors, a separate bus and car entrance/drop off area, and two age-specific playgrounds on either side of the building.
Architect Lyndon Keck, with
Portland-based PDT Architects, said the school will be designed to last 75 years. About 660 young students, ideally 600, would attend classes at the school.
There is room for expansion to teach pre-K to Grade 5 students by adding up to three classrooms at two different ends of the building, “but no desire to ever let it grow and become really big in the future,” Keck said.
Savings on annual energy costs — at least $25,000 — would come from designing a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, building, he said.
How to pay for the primary grade building’s projected $27.9 million cost is under study. Renovations to improve Brunswick Junior High School may be $5.7 million, for a $33.6 million program. If by a possible multi-year bond, the cost to taxpayers could range from an extra $186 a year to $200 a year, to start. Over time as the bond is paid down, payments would decline, said Brunswick Finance Director Julia Henze.
“We are dealing with unknowns,” she said, and that includes interest rates. “I would like to be able to show a range of possibilities so we know what we are facing.”
Questions from town councilors included: Jane Millett asking if the Coffin School will be razed; John Perreault asking how much more the project cost may be if residents vote at referendum in June 2018 rather than June 2017; and Kathy Wilson asking about food storage space at Coffin for use at the junior high.
Per Dan Harris’ questions, delaying a pre-kindergarten program at Coffin would save $1.3 million. Eliminating separate wings of a new elementary to construct one building would save $500,000 to $600,000. Only one of two elevators would be installed.
It can take up to 10 years to be approved for state school building aid, which is why taxpayers likely will pay for Coffin’s replacement. Brunswick’s two primary grade schools are at Harriet Beecher Stowe and Coffin; Jordan Acres closed in 2011. Applying for state aid for junior high renovations is possible and a funding wait is expected.
“There’s no guarantee that Coffin and the junior high is going to score high enough” to get on this list, Keck said
If the junior high application for state support is added to the wait list, Brunswick won’t be penalized for making interim repairs, said Keck.
Town councilors Monday did not on sending the Coffin replacement and junior high renovation forward for a referendum. That decision may come later this month or early next year.
Councilor Suzan Wilson said “going to referendum is a good thing,” and maybe submit the junior high application later.
“The need is dire and it needs to be met,” she said of a new Coffin.
She suggested that the junior high’s older students, compared to Coffin, may be more resilient and can wait for school renovations.
Resident Graydon Foye said both student populations need respect, primary and middle school.
“I don’t feel it’s right to say we’re going to wait and ask for our children to be resilient,” said Foye.
On Tuesday, School Superintendent Paul Perzanoski said he is hopeful the Town Council will send the $33 million project to referendum. More public forums would include site visits.
Projected school enrollment for kindergarten through Grade 12 for 2017-18 is 2,330 students.
“If we end up with a new building project, we should end up with room for growth,” said Perzanoski.
The loss of more than $5 million in revenue with the 2011 closure of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station and its federal military financial aid compounds financing the entire school budget.
When Durham joined RSU 5 with Freeport and Pownal in 2009, the town lost another $1.2 million.
Perzanoski reflects on this, five and seven years later, respectively.
“It was the perfect financial storm,” he said.
lconnell@timesrecord.com
Councilors’ questions
• JANE MILLETT: Will the existing Coffin School be razed?
• JOHN PERREAULT: How much more will the project cost if residents vote in 2018 rather than 2017?
• KATHY WILSON: What about food storage space at Coffin for use at the junior high?
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