CAMDEN, Maine — The lack of affordable housing is pushing midcoast Maine school districts into action.
Maria Libby is the superintendent for Maine School Administrative District 28 and the Five Town Community School District, serving students from pre-K to 12th-grade graduation for the communities of Appleton, Camden, Hope, Lincolnville, and Rockport.
Libby said the districts, which together employ about 150 teachers, are working on a creative solution to help meet the needs of current and potential educators by becoming landlords, hoping the change could help lure candidates and keep them working there longer.
"They want to work here. But if they can't find a place to live, it becomes an obstacle," Libby explained.
Trevor Paul said his dream teaching job became a reality in 2021.
"I was so excited to get the job here and excited for my son to go to school in this area," Paul enthused.
Paul teaches social and Chinese studies at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport.
He and his wife previously taught at Hebron Academy, a private school where housing was provided.
But he said they couldn't find affordable housing in the Camden area near his new job, so he spent more than three hours every day, commuting to and from the high school.
"I tried to commute for a while from North Yarmouth, but it was a long, long haul, especially on full weeks," Paul explained.
The shortage of affordable housing is pushing the districts into the housing market. Administrators are moving forward with plans to convert a more than 150-year-old school building into apartments for new teachers.
The project would use the former Elm Street School, owned by MSAD 28 but currently under lease to Children's House Montessori School. The lease runs through 2026.
Libby said the project would have at least 10 short-term or "transitional" apartments for educators moving to the district from other parts of the state and country, allowing them to look for more permanent solutions in the area.
"Allow people to stay for up to two years for them to make connections, network understand the housing market, and find permanent housing," Libby said.
Under the plan, rental income from the teacher tenants would pay for building maintenance. The districts also plan to do private fundraising and seek grants, and other financial resources to cover renovations.
After commuting for a year, Paul and his wife stayed with relatives in Hope. His family eventually moved into a home last year.
Paul said he believes that providing housing for teachers, especially for educators entering the field, is key to keeping them from choosing to work in a more affordable market elsewhere.
"They are looking at where they can afford to move to, not where they want to teach. I think that is a shame, and you miss out on great teachers because the [housing] market is just too difficult," Paul said.
Libby said they hope to have the apartments move-in ready for new teachers by the fall of 2027.
The project still needs zoning-change approval from Camden's Select Board. From there, it's up to the select board to decide if the proposal would go before voters in a referendum vote, which could take place in June.