District pondering school project options

By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer

MILO — Last month Superintendent Michael Wright informed the school board about a pair of funding opportunities for improvements — part of a larger construction plan — at the Penquis Valley School campus. He said SAD 41 has been approved for a $2.1 million quality zone academy bond (QZAB) as part of the construction plan, which would come with a 0 percent interest rate (leading to a savings of between $700,000 and $800,000) and 25-year timeline to pay back the principal. The project includes about $2.15 million worth of renovations, including window and door replacements and upgrades to the heating system.

The district could also apply for monies from the state through its School Revolving Renovation Fund program. School units are able to apply for funds — and like the QZAB program — depending on economic factors only have to pay back a portion of the awarded amount, potentially having up to 70 percent of the costs forgiven.

During an Aug. 3 meeting, Wright said he would need some direction on the two funding possibilities by letting the Department of Education know SAD 41’s intentions on the QZAB money and needing to apply to the School Revolving Renovation Fund by the Sept. 30 deadline.

“I’m trying to do what can help us based on those timeframes,” Wright said. “Trying to navigate which one we go for or how to navigate both is something we are going to have to think about.”

In June the school board opted to delay an approximate $10 million school construction project, with no timetable set to resume, based on the concept of a 25-year plan to address the facilities needs in the district with pre-kindergarten through grade 12 all housed at the Penquis Valley campus.

Board Chair Arthur Herbest asked for direction on proceeding and after some discussions he and Wright were asked to set up a meeting on the project and its costs between the school board and the selectmen from the SAD 41 communities of Atkinson, Brownville, LaGrange and Milo.

“We are thinking of a September meeting,” Wright said.

In other business, the board approved the nomination of Anita Black as Penquis Valley High School/Middle School assistant principal. Black, a native of Belfast, previously had been teaching at the Blue Hill Consolidated School.

“As many of you know Penquis has taken another morale hit,” Principal Jeremy Bousquet said. He said student Dustin Larry, 17, died in an automobile accident the Sunday before the meeting, and two other students were injured in the crash. Bousquet said the crisis team and staff were available at the school the following day and the rest of the week .

Bousquet said Larry’s family is planning a benefit spaghetti dinner for Sunday, Aug. 14 from 2-6 p.m. at the school. Admission will be donation, to help with funeral expenses “and they are also looking to do a scholarship in his name,” Bousquet said, saying information on the meal is posted on the Penquis Valley Facebook page.