Hampden gets closer to funds for school

HAMPDEN – Plans for a high school construction project here look more promising after a recent announcement by Maine Department of Education Commissioner Susan Gendron that the next application cycle for major capital improvements could be delayed by a year or more, according to the SAD 22 assistant superintendent.

Gendron told superintendents in an Oct. 4 letter that the next major capital construction application and scoring cycle may not occur next summer and instead be extended to 2007 or beyond because the State Board of Education is revising the rule that establishes the frequency of the process.

The delay could spell good news for SAD 22 because it means that no new projects will be brought in to supersede the ones that already are on the list, Assistant Superintendent Emil Genest said at last week’s board of directors meeting.

The district, which is seeking state money to either build a new high school or to renovate the current Hampden Academy facility, ranked number 17 on the state’s school construction priority list issued last March.

Noting that the first 13 construction projects have tentatively received approval for state funding in 2008 and 2009, Genest said Tuesday that, “In my opinion, she is delaying the projects to give her and the state board time to fund the top 22 schools.”

“By not bringing in more schools, this keeps us in the running” for the next funding cycle, he said.

Gendron’s announcement is “the first step that assists Hampden Academy in obtaining state funding,” the assistant superintendent said.

The next step could be taken on Dec. 15 when the commissioner recommends funding levels for education including debt service, Genest said, noting that Gendron has stated that she plans to recommend to the Legislature that the state’s debt limit be increased so the top 22 school construction projects can be funded.

“If she increased debt service and the Legislature agrees, the state would be able to fund more projects. We’re so close right now that it wouldn’t take much to get number 17 in the game,” he said.

Gendron said in her letter to superintendents that the revision process will be completed over the next few months and that when the changes are ready to be proposed, there will be an announcement and an opportunity for public comment.