SACO, Maine — For the first time in 25 years, Maine has appointed a new state commission to re-examine how it supports school construction, aiming to tackle the growing crisis of aging school buildings.
With 350 out of 600 school buildings in the state now over 50 years old, this commission's work comes at a critical time for students, educators, and communities alike.
"This is a community problem and a community asset," Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin said. "It's very important to bring as many voices, expert opinions, and experiences from across our state."
The commission brings together leaders from state government, municipalities, and educational institutions to consider solutions and re-evaluate current financial support systems to ensure all Maine students have access to safe and modern educational facilities. Right now, districts are able to apply for state subsidized funding through the Maine Department of Education's Major Capital School Construction Project program.
Maine's school districts are struggling to keep up with infrastructure demands, especially as construction costs soar. Since 2019, the state has invested $580 million since in school renovation and construction, but demand continues to outpace available resources.
"There's an enormous need, and kids are in these schools every day," Brown said, "and it's just an attempt to do the best we can.”
Maine DOE Major Capital School Construction Program Director Scott Brown explains that escalating construction costs are making it harder for districts to meet their infrastructure needs.
"Part of the commission's work will be looking at the ways we finance construction and whether there are better opportunities to do that," he said.
Saco is among the few districts that secured funding through the state's construction program in order to address an aging school. Jeremy Ray, who serves as the Superintendent of Saco, Biddeford and Dayton schools, emphasized the significant costs tied to interest on construction bonds.
"On a hundred-million-dollar project, you could be essentially paying maybe one hundred and seventy thousand over the course of the loan," Ray noted, illustrating the financial strain. "It's time for Maine to look at a different solution long-term, so that all students have great educational facilities," he said.
The commission is expected to present its findings in April 2025, providing what many hope will be a much-needed strategy to address the ongoing school infrastructure challenges across the state.
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