After numerous land surveys and testing, the committee, along with PDT Architects agreed that the land where Teague Park currently stands would be the best location for the new facility. However, a portion of this land needs approval from the National Parks Service in order for construction to commence. Though the application is complete, it has not been approved, meaning that a referendum for the new school will likely be held at some point between Nov. 2016 and Feb. 2017.
Both PDT and Maine DOE are working with RSU 39 in hopes of streamlining the approval process as much as possible.
The committee continued their discussion of the floor plan and, after the meeting, PDT Architects issued a new sketch based on their feedback. Potential gym and music room expansions are highlighted by red lines, with the aforementioned area featuring a slanted design that will facilitate the additions.
Any additions beyond the basic school design would be funded via local tax dollars. A committee (Friends of Caribou Schools), was recently formed in an effort to lessen the potential burden. Ron Willey and Sam Collins, co-chairs of the fund-raising committee, plan on establishing goals to subsidize a second gym and music room extension.
The Building Committee will meet again on July 8th at 8 a.m. in the Caribou Learning Center on Bennett Drive to discuss their progress.
