Old Town board elects leaders, discusses school proposal

OLD TOWN – The school board re-elected James Dill as chairman and David Wollstadt as vice-chairman at its first meeting since the two newly elected members were sworn in Dec. 4.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, committee members discussed concept plans for the proposed elementary school, said Superintendent Owen Maurais Wednesday afternoon.

Board members discussed where to position play areas, athletic fields and parking lots, he said. They also discussed how to cluster classrooms and integrate the library, gym, cafeteria and music areas so they are easily accessible to all students and staff.

Last month, the University of Maine board of trustees approved the sale of the land behind the Old Town Plaza on Stillwater Avenue for the proposed school. Maurais said Wednesday that the two appraisals required by law have been completed. The superintendent said he expects the purchase price will be “in the high $300,000s.”

The first in a series of public hearings to change the zoning of that land so the school can be built there will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Leonard Middle School library.