ROCKLAND, Maine — The Rockland area school board gave unanimous concept approval Thursday night to a reorganizational plan that would consolidate the high schools, merge the middle schools and close three other buildings.
Superintendent John McDonald said the vote gives him the go-ahead to undertake hundreds of hours of work needed to flesh out the concept.
Rockland board member Donald Robishaw Jr. said he was concerned that the vote was committing the district to spending millions of dollars on renovation projects.
The superintendent said that was not the case.
“You are not committing to spending 1 cent,” McDonald said.
He said that before any money is spent on construction and before any school is closed, the matter will be put before the board for a vote.
The Schools of the Future plan unveiled Oct. 1 by the superintendent calls for a single high school for grades nine through 12 at Oceanside East in Rockland and a single middle school for grades six through eight at the Oceanside West building in Thomaston.
The plan also calls for the closure of the Gilford Butler School in South Thomaston, which serves students from kindergarten through second grade; the Lura Libby elementary school in Thomaston; and the McLain School in Rockland, where administrative offices and alternative education classes are located.
The board also voted Thursday night to modify the contract with Siemens Industry Inc. to include a “break fee” of up to $150,000 for the company to undertake engineering studies for energy efficiency projects planned as part of the school reorganization. The break fee would be paid only if the school district decided not to proceed with the projects or if it ended its relationship with Siemens.
The district has used two high schools — housing grades 10 through 12 in Rockland and eight and nine in Thomaston — since 2011. The district also has maintained two middle schools — Rockland District Middle School and Thomaston Grammar School — since 2011.
Renovation and expansion costs are estimated at $13 million.
In addition to building changes, the Schools of the Future plan calls for curriculum changes. Other changes include the addition of world languages at all elementary schools in the district beginning next year; a freshmen academy to help first-year high school students make the transition to high school; expanded opportunity for high school students to earn low-cost or no-cost college credits; the creation of a science, technology, engineering and mathematics academy; a liberal arts academy coordinated with local businesses and organizations; and work with the Restorative Justice program for a school culture that would include progressive development.
Any school closure would need to be approved by residents of the towns where the buildings are located.