Public Information and Announcements

Take notice that the School Board of Maine School Administrative District No. 54 shall conduct a Public Hearing in accordance with the following schedule:

DATE: October 3, 2024
TIME: 5:30 P.M.
LOCATION: Skowhegan Area Middle School Cafeteria, 155 Academy Circle, Skowhegan

The Public Hearing shall be conducted on the following question which will be the subject of a referendum vote on November 5, 2024.

Question 1: Do you favor authorizing the School Board of Maine School Administrative District No. 54 (the “District”) to change the proposed location of the replacement bus garage from the current site of the North Elementary School (NEL) to the former DOT fleet maintenance lot at 264 Canaan Road in the Town of Skowhegan? The voters of the District previously approved funding and construction of the replacement bus garage as part of the new Early Childhood through Grade 5 elementary school project.

Note: Approval of this location change will not change the previously approved budget for the project, nor will it incur additional local costs, and in fact anticipates cost savings for the project.

Please read the following update from MSAD 54 regarding a threat to schools that was reported this morning, 9/13/24: https://bit.ly/47HdvMJ

After consulting again with other districts in the region and local authorities, we have made the decision to again cancel school. We recognize the impact on families that a school cancellation has. We will be meeting throughout the day remotely with staff and will be planning for our return to school on Monday. As one of our law enforcement partners put it, taking one extra day in this situation allows good people to do their jobs, and for our staff to be ready to support our schools when we return, it also allows us to support our communities to the south who have been so impacted by this tragedy.

The past 24 hours have been incredibly tragic and will have a lasting impact on our state and communities. Our hearts go out to the residents of Lewiston and the many people in the surrounding area and throughout the state who have been impacted by this tragedy. We commend the bravery of our law enforcement officers and state/local officials who work to ensure our safety, and we thank them for their ongoing support and communication.

Over the course of the day today our district crisis team and administrators have met, reviewed plans, and considered feedback on how best to handle the return of students and the need to return to school as soon as is safely possible.

Date/Time: August 17, 2023 at 10:00 AM

Location: 40 Heselton Street, Skowhegan, Maine

What: Groundbreaking Event for New Consolidated Elementary School

Agenda: School officials and guests will speak briefly about the project and its benefits to our kids and community, followed by a groundbreaking shovel ceremony with pictures.

Who is invited: Everyone in our community, especially our students are encouraged to attend.

Note: Along with snacks and refreshments for all in attendance, areas for younger students will be available (sandboxes, etc.) for play. Additionally, ceremonial hard hats will be provided for all students who attend the event.

The State Board of Education voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve the Design and Funding Approval phase of the project, giving the $75,338,985 project approval to move forward. The project, which is more than 95% state funded, includes a local-only fundraising effort coordinated through KVCAP with the help of an amazing team of local project supporters. As of April, the fundraising effort has raised roughly $2.4 million dollars! This fundraising effort will significantly reduce any impact the project may have on local taxpayers. If you or those you know are interested in supporting the project (every gift helps), visit the fundraising page at: https://www.kvcap.org/building-better-beginnings/

With unanimous State Board Approval, the project will be moving forward quickly. The district will begin accepting bids from contractors starting on April 13th, with Bid Openings scheduled for May 18th. The project anticipates breaking ground by July, and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2025. For further information visit: https://www.msad54.org/building-project

The district anticipates making drawings available on or about April 13th with bid opening occurring on May 18, 2023. Interested subcontractors or pre-qualified general contractors should review the following notice: http://bit.ly/3nNFO8Z