CARIBOU, Maine — In February of 2017, voters in the RSU 39 communities of Caribou, Limestone, and Stockholm approved a project for a new pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade school in Caribou that will replace four aging RSU 39 buildings.
The state of Maine has committed 95 percent of the $48.1 million cost of the school, with the additional funds to be paid by RSU 39 taxpayers over the next 20 years.
A local group, Friends of Caribou Schools, has been raising funds to reduce the amount of local funds required.
The Forbes family of Caribou is the latest contributor, committing a pledge of $10,000 towards the project.
Family spokesperson Kent Forbes said the family is excited to be making this donation.
“The city of Caribou has a wonderful opportunity to revitalize the community with the building of the new Pre-K thru 8 school building in the hub of our youth’s activities, Forbes, a former school board chair, stated.
“Generations of Forbes have graduated from the Caribou School system and we are proud to be in a position to be able to give back to the community for the next generation of students,” he said.
Adding the Forbes family donation to the tally, the fundraising group has now raised more than $470,000, which will directly reduce the impact of the new school project on local taxes.
RSU 39 Superintendent Tim Doak praised the Forbes family and all the donors, stressing the importance of the new school to the area.
“This will truly be a transformational school for our children’s future. I am excited to see the project getting underway, and look forward to welcoming students into the new building in the February of 2020,” said Doak.
For additional information on the new school project, visit www.rsu39.org. For information about the fundraising effort, visit focsRSU39.wix.com/focs.
