NEWPORT, Maine — Residents in the eight towns representing Regional School Unit 19 go to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to accept $69 million in state funding to overhaul the district’s aging school buildings.
That money would allow the district to construct a building to house the district’s high school and middle school students, convert Sebasticook Valley and Somerset Valley middle schools into elementary schools and demolish several elementary schools that would be vacated.
RSU 19 includes the towns of Newport, Corinna, Dixmont, Etna, Hartland, Palmyra, Plymouth and St. Albans.
The district spent about $400,000 shaping plans for the construction project.
If voters reject the state money, the district would have to come up with some other funding, likely turning to local taxpayers. The existing school buildings are in need of repairs and maintenance even without the approval of the state-funded construction project, costs that would have to be covered locally if the state money isn’t accepted, according to interim superintendent Ray Freve. RSU 19’s proposed construction project also would be dropped down the state’s list of future projects, potentially delaying it for years.
It’s a crucial vote in a school district that has been grappling with financial problems for years. The district is considering furlough days in an effort to make up for a $295,000 revenue shortfall, which has forced the district to reduce overtime and become delinquent on some bills. If voters reject the state construction funding, the $400,000 the district spent planning the project would add to the district’s shortfall.
All polling places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 29. Locations by town are:
— Corinna: Corinna Fire Annex, 35 Exeter Road.
— Dixmont: Dixmont town office, 758 Western Ave.
— Etna: Etna town office, 17 Shadow Lane.
— Hartland: Hartland Town Hall, 21 Academy St.
— Newport: Newport Public Safety Building, 21 Water St.
— Palmyra: Palmyra Town Hall, 778 Main St.
— Plymouth: Plymouth Town Hall, 1947 Moosehead Trail.
— St. Albans: St. Albans Town Hall, 7 Water St.
Follow Nick McCrea on Twitter at @nmccrea213.