CASCO, Maine — The superintendent of School Administrative District 61 says his district faces an overcrowding problem, and he is asking voters to reopen a closed school.
Superintendent Alan Smith says Songo Locks Elementary School in Naples is more than 18 percent overcapacity, and he wants to reopen the Crooked River School.
Smith says there are 450 students at Songo Locks, but the building is only meant to house 380 students. This proposal would move 250 students from grades three, four and five to Crooked River.
“We really have used every nook and cranny to try to appropriately service the students, and we’re at a point where it really is affecting students’ learning and space issues,” Smith said.
Some people who live in the district argue the plan is too expensive, and they are worried if the project is approved it could lead to closing Sebago Elementary School down the road.
Janice Barter, the Lake Region School Board Chair, says that is not the intent. “What we’re really trying to do is to separate both schools so they can have the community feeling Sebago has. It’s not to close Sebago or move their students here,” Barter said. “We don’t consider the extra 50 seats at Crooked River are anything but for Casco and Naples students in the future.”
Denise Olsen is part of the group Friends of Sebago Elementary. She says even if the project doesn’t close Sebago Elementary, she is worried about the cost.
“It’s become this monster of a project,” Olsen said. “It’s $9.6 million. They can get the kids into the school much faster at a much lower cost.”
The superintendent admits it will raise taxes, between $12 and $32 for the average home, but he says the money would go toward needed renovations.
“In 30 years life has changed a lot, and it’s not ADA compliable anymore. So we’re looking at, quite honestly, completely renovating the interior,” Smith said. “We’re just growing, and we’re going to continue to grow.”
Smith is holding a public hearing 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lake Region High School. Voters head to the polls Dec. 8.