If South Portland homeowners can pay for a cup of coffee or their favorite latte, then they can afford to renovate the city high school for $55 million.

That seems to be the message the South Portland School Department is sending to voters in the weeks before a citywide vote on the most expensive school construction plan in city history.

At issue is an effort by school officials to convince voters on Nov. 6 to approve a spending plan for renovating the city’s only high school for $55 million plus $29 million in interest fees on a 20-year bond.

The South Portland School Department printed thousands of informational flyers that seek to explain in easy-to-understand terms why the project is needed and how much it will cost individual households.

School officials also will hold a series of guided tours at South Portland High School over the next several weeks.

The flyers – which are widely available at grocery stores, the community center and other municipal buildings – show that the annual impact on individual homeowners may be less than many people expect.

A chart on Page 2 estimates the weekly cost to be $2.27 in 2010, the price for “1+ cups of coffee.”

The chart is printed under a question that asks: “What would be the tax impact on the average house in South Portland?”

Rob Coombs, the city finance director, confirmed that the figures are correct and offered more details on costs to homeowners.

With the average South Portland home valued at $240,000, the annual property tax increase in 2010 would be $118 – which translates into $2.27 a week.

The tax increase would be $103 on a median-priced home valued at $212,000.

The figures are based on homes with a homestead exemption, Coombs said.

The burden on taxpayers would fluctuate from year to year, because the city would not borrow all the money at once for the school reconstruction, he said.

When school officials first unveiled the school building plan last spring, the immediate tax impact was estimated to be higher.

But the original estimates were based on borrowing all the money at once, Coombs said. The formula has since been refined, and construction money would be borrowed as it is needed – easing the yearly burden on property taxpayers.

The impact on taxpayers is projected to be the highest in 2013, when the tax impact would be $311 on a home valued at $240,000.

The chart shows that the weekly cost would be “$6 or 3+ cups of coffee.”

The tax burden would decrease each year after that over the life of the 20-year bond, as the principal is paid down.

Coombs cautioned that the figures are estimates, based on current home values, since it is not possible to project future real estate prices.

The informational flyer, written in a question-and-answer format, delves into several other issues related to the school construction project, including educational benefits, building design, security needs, space considerations and student population projections.

Steve Bailey, who facilitates the Secondary Schools Facilities Committee, says the flyer addresses many issues raised by the public since the plan was introduced to the city council.

In addition to the flyers, there will be a series of tours, talks and presentations on the rebuilding plan.

The public is invited on guided tours of South Portland High School to see firsthand the problems with the buildings and learn more about the proposed renovations. They will get to see everything from classrooms and the library to locker rooms and the boiler.

The 45-minute tours, which start at the high school entrance, are on Monday at 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 30 at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.; Oct. 6 at 4 p.m., after the homecoming game; Oct. 21 at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.; and Nov. 3 at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Those interested do not need to call in advance, but should just show up at the scheduled time.

There also is an ongoing series of presentations or displays at other South Portland schools, including Thursday at 6 p.m., Mahoney Middle School parents’ forum and display; and 6:30 p.m., Skillin Elementary School ice cream social and display. An ice cream social and display is scheduled for Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Small Elementary School.

More events will be added as they are scheduled. Call the school department at 871-0555 for information or check its Web site, ssfc.spsd.org.

A CLOSER LOOK

The 45-minute tours of South Portland High school are:

• Monday: 6:30 p.m.

• Sept. 30: 1, 3 and 5 p.m.

• Oct. 6: 4 p.m., after the homecoming game

• Oct. 21: 1, 3 and 5 p.m.

• Nov. 3: 1, 3 and 5 p.m.

There also is an ongoing series of presentations or displays at other South Portland schools, including:

• Thursday: 6 p.m., Mahoney Middle School parents’ forum, display; and 6:30 p.m., Skillin Elementary School ice cream social, display.

• Sept. 28: 6:30 p.m., Small Elementary School ice cream social, display.

More events will be added as they are scheduled. Call the school department at 871-0555 for information or check the Web site, ssfc.spsd.org.

On Nov. 6, voters will be asked to approve a spending plan for renovating the city aimed at convincing voters of the project’s value.