At a regular business meeting on November 12, 2024, the Cape Elizabeth School Board voted unanimously to authorize the Superintendent to work with Harriman architects to revise the “Middle Ground” design, which includes a new middle school and necessary upgrades to the elementary and high schools. The bond to fund this project, combined with an undefined municipal project, was narrowly defeated in last week’s referendum.

“Over all I am heartened by the extremely close vote on the Middle Ground school project design,” said Superintendent Chris Record. “We came within 166 votes of building the first new school in Cape in over 50 years. It is clear we made great progress in helping Cape citizens understand the very real needs of our schools and the multiple benefits of building a new middle school for our students and staff.”

School Board members were united in their desire for Dr. Record to get right back to work with Harriman, to “sharpen their pencils” and make refinements that would lead to cost reduction. Vice Chair Philip Saucier said, “Harriman has been an excellent consulting/architecture firm.  They have all the resources … and I think that they can continue to refine this in light of what we have learned.” The Board was steadfast in its support of the Middle Ground as the concept to address comprehensive safety/security needs and educational barriers while minimizing disruption to students. “We’re very close,” added outgoing Chair Elizabeth Scifres. “Let’s see what we can tweak.” She went on to say, “It’s about need. And the needs have not changed.”

At a special business meeting on July 1, 2024, the Cape Elizabeth School Board voted unanimously to approve the Middle Ground design, which includes a new middle school and necessary upgrades to the elementary and high schools at a cost of $89.9 million. 

This compromise is the culmination of over a year and a half of work to gather data and input on the best way to address the ailing school buildings and the barriers to education that they present.  With a price tag more than $26 million lower than the previously proposed construction project in 2022, Harriman architect Lisa Sawin produced the Middle Ground design to address the highest priority needs of the schools at a cost the community has signaled it would support.

After 18 months of work, the School Building Advisory Committee was split 5-4 on the best path forward. Because of this division, the School Board invited both sides to present their recommendations at a public meeting on May 21. The Board heard two presentations and asked questions on both options, hearing responses from Harriman Architects.

One proposal, Option E, met most of the established educational objectives and community goals with no disruption to students, but at a price point deemed too high.

One project, Option B, met very few of the established educational objectives and community goals with a great deal of disruption to students, but at a price point deemed acceptable.

The School Board directed Harriman to work on a compromise solution that meets established educational objectives and community goals with little to no student disruption in and around a price point the community had signaled it will support.

The School Board provided the following direction to Harriman at the May 21 public meeting:

• It is crucial to choose a plan that unites us.

• We need to work on consensus and compromise. It is not “B” and it is not “E.” It’s “The Solution.”

• We have heard from the community that there is a palatable dollar figure in and around a 10% tax impact.

• Start with a new MS with full cooling, then include other necessary upgrades to the ES and HS.

• We will then want to work with our facilities director to see what we can do with state funding (School Revolving Renovation Funds).

• We need to look at this as a town-wide initiative.

• We cannot NOT meet the educational needs of our students. We can’t compromise on what they deserve and what we have a responsibility to provide.

Source: Harriman School Board Update, June 11, 2024, page 12

At the June 11, 2024 School Board Meeting, Harriman Architects presented the school design solution that led to the Middle Ground project. This compromise solution incorporates elements from both options presented by the SBAC and considers feedback from school staff.

October 8, 2024 Public Forum

At a special business meeting on July 1, 2024, the Cape Elizabeth School Board voted unanimously to approve the Middle Ground design, which includes a new middle school and necessary upgrades to the elementary and high schools at a cost of $89.9 million. 

A week prior to the vote, the School Board held a public forum at which the Middle Ground design was given overwhelming support by citizens of the town.

This compromise is the culmination of over a year and a half of work to gather data and input on the best way to address the ailing school buildings and the barriers to education that they present.  With a price tag more than $26 million lower than the previously proposed construction project in 2022, Harriman architect Lisa Sawin produced the Middle Ground design to address the highest priority needs of the schools at a cost the community has signaled it would support.

The School Board noted that the facilities department will continue to address issues at the high school and elementary school that are more efficiently accomplished as single projects.  “We understand we can’t do everything we need to do in one construction project,” said School Board Chair Elizabeth Scifres.  Identified jointly by Harriman, Turner & Townsend Heery, and CESD Facilities Director Dave Bagdasarian, those projects outside the bond are carefully planned to stay within the budgeted CIP and maintenance lines over the next eight years.  CESD will also apply for funding from the School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF), an MDOE program that offers zero interest loans that are partially forgiven (part grant) for qualifying improvements to school buildings.  Cape Elizabeth has had great success in the recent past in securing these resources, but is not relying on that program to fund those projects.

Scifres went on to say, “The Board wanted consensus and compromise, but would not compromise on education.  This approach achieves exactly that.  This is a major step forward for our schools and our town.”  In a written statement, School Board Vice Chair Phil Saucier said, “While this is a compromise plan, it really feels like a Cape Elizabeth plan”.

The Town Council will consider setting a public hearing for the School Board -approved resolution on Monday July 8th.  After a public hearing and if approved by the Town Council,  the referendum vote will be on November 4th.

For more information about the Middle Ground:

Harriman Presentation from the June 24 Public Forum

Video of the June 24 Public Forum

The Middle Ground Design is a compromise that meets educational needs and financial parameters.