The School Building Advisory Committee issued the following press release on February 20, 2024:

The Cape Elizabeth School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) has taken a significant step forward in recommending investments for the town’s educational infrastructure needs. After months of work in concert with designers and project managers, the committee has selected three preferred design options for the future of Cape Elizabeth schools.

The committee considered factors such as community feedback, financial viability, safety needs, and educational impact. The meeting concluded with the narrowing down of options to three finalists: Option B, Option C, and Option E (see more details below).

Option B focuses on additions and renovations that prioritize safety enhancements, cafeteria improvements, and HVAC upgrades. Option C proposes expansive additions and renovations across all schools, including safety upgrades, new centralized cafeterias for the middle and elementary schools, STEM and performing arts spaces. Option E proposes building a new middle school, with the possibility of a new elementary school in 10 to 20 years.

Additionally, designers were asked to consider a revised hybrid of Options B and C, potentially involving up to 35,000 square feet of new construction. Harriman designers have begun revising these options in consultation with project managers.

Project cost estimates, initially provided by Harriman, were subject to an independent validation process by the Owner’s Representatives at Turner Townsend Heery. Furthermore, tax impact analyses were prepared by outside consultants at Moors & Cabot and subsequently validated by our town manager. This comprehensive validation process underscores a commitment to transparency and accuracy in presenting the financial implications of each proposed design option to the Cape Elizabeth community.

Updates to these proposed designs will be presented to the SBAC on March 7, 2024.

The SBAC is developing an approach to solicit town-wide feedback on the three revised options. The next public forum is currently scheduled for April 4th, 2024, where Harriman architects will present the three preferred options to the public. The SBAC will then be tasked with selecting one final option on April 25, 2024 which will then be further developed in preparation for a public forum in June.

Option B – Addition/Renovation

Total Cost: $64,562,904
Tax Impact: 10.42% to 16.10%
Total Interest: $28,509,004
Yearly Debt Service: $4,200,369
Yearly Cost for Median Homeowner: $753
Monthly Cost for Median Homeowner: $62.75

Option C – Addition/Renovation

Total Cost: $116,112,963
Tax Impact: 18.29%
Total Interest: $54,497,846
Yearly Debt Service: $7,372,276
Yearly Cost for Median Homeowner: $1322
Monthly Cost for Median Homeowner: $110.17

Option E.1 – New Middle School

Total Cost: $110,932,210
Tax Impact: 16.18%
Total Interest: $71,954,641
Yearly Debt Service: $6,520,739
Yearly Cost for Median Homeowner: $1169
Monthly Cost for Median Homeowner: $99.09

Option E.2– New Middle School

Total Cost: $135,453,031
Tax Impact: 20.16%
Total Interest: $71,954,641
Yearly Debt Service: $8,127,820
Yearly Cost for Median Homeowner: $1457
Monthly Cost for Median Homeowner: $121.42

To learn more about the School Building Advisory Committee's progress and/or to provide feedback, please visit the SBAC Website.