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INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 6
POLICY CODE: FE
TO: Superintendents of Schools
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: August 4, 2005
RE: Major Capital Improvement Program – Special Priority List
The State Board of Education, at the August 10, 2005 meeting, will receive the Major Capital Improvement Program Special Priority List.
Projects placed on the Special Priority List will receive school construction subsidy under 20-A MRSA §15901(1) subject to a successful local referendum, Design and Funding Approval by the State Board and Final Funding Approval by the Commissioner subject to available funding. Under current funding levels, school construction projects totaling no more than $100 million in state-subsidizable costs may be given Concept Approval by the Board between now and the end of calendar year 2006. Through calendar year 2007, again under current funding levels, the Board may approve another $100 million in state-subsidizable costs for school construction.
Projects placed on the Special Priority List, in addition to being approved for state subsidy under 20-A MRSA §15905(1), may be approved for interest-only interim local financing by the Board under 20-A MRSA §15905(7). In the event a project placed on the Special Priority List fails to receive voter approval at a local referendum, the project shall be removed from the Special Priority List.
The State Board of Education has designated the following projects for placement on the Special Priority List for Concept Approval under 20-A MRSA §15905(1) and State Board of Education Rules Chapter 61, Section 5. The proposed projects are in priority order.
1. Portland School Department
2. SAD #6 - Buxton
3. Peninsula CSD – Winter Harbor
4. Ellsworth School Department
5. SAD #54 – Norridgewock
6. Lewiston School Department
7. SAD #32 - Ashland
8. Brewer School Department
9. Westbrook School Department
10. Gorham School Department
11. Durham School Department
12. Machias School Department
13. Brunswick School Department
Based on the best estimates of project costs available at this time, it is further recommended that projects numbered one through six be eligible for Concept Approval between now and the end of calendar year 2006, and that projects numbered seven through thirteen be eligible for Concept Approval no later than the end of calendar year 2007.
Concept Approval by 12-31-06
Debt Service Limit FY 08: $100,000,000
Funds Available $100,000,000
1. Portland School Department
2. SAD #6 – Buxton
3. Peninsula CSD – Winter Harbor
4. Ellsworth School Department
5. SAD #54 – Norridgewock
6. Lewiston School Department
Concept Approval by 12-31-07
Debt Service Limit FY 09: $104,000,000
Funds Available: $100,000,000
7. SAD #32 – Ashland
8. Brewer School Department
9. Westbrook School Department
10: Gorham School Department
11. Durham School Department
12. Machias School Department
13. Brunswick School Department
For further information, please contact Scott Brown, Director of School Facilities, at (207) 624-6848 or scott.brown@maine.gov