School building projects approved Madawaska voters back $300,000 plan

MADAWASKA – The Madawaska Middle School and High School complex will be a busy place this summer with three, and maybe four, construction projects costing about $300,000.

The Madawaska School Board’s Capital Improvements Committee reported Monday night that three projects will be completed, and a fourth, the replacements of gymnasium bleachers, still has some questions to be answered.

Superintendent Thomas Scott said Tuesday that the entire list could amount to a cost of $300,000.

Included are the replacement of the north wall of the middle school, replacement of the hardwood gymnasium floor and the replacement of all exterior doors at the high school complex. These three projects will cost about $260,000.

Residents gave their approval to borrow up to $300,000 at last year’s annual school budget meeting for the projects. The money will be borrowed from the Maine Bond Bank.

“We’ve been talking about these projects for some time, and now we are looking at construction this summer,” Scott said. “Our estimates are on the high side to guarantee against surprises.”

The hardwood gymnasium floor was made 33 years ago. Some buckling of the wood has occurred because of humidity and condensation. That project is estimated at $82,000.

The north wall of the middle school, which is 30 years old, is made of a fiberglass substance called kal-wall and uses dead air cells for insulation. The insulation concept is not very efficient. Removal of the wall and reconstruction is estimated to cost $60,000.

The doors in the high school building date back to 1962 and 1967. Some of the doors have warped, and there are accessibility and safety issues. Some of the doors no longer lock conventionally, and some have weatherstripping problems. Replacement of the doors is estimated to cost $118,000.

In other business Monday, the school board reviewed, but did not complete, a tuition contract with Grand Isle for the education of children from the community.

They also approved a salary package for employees not covered by the department’s comprehensive contract, worked on a program of studies for the coming year, and approved contracts for continuing teachers.