The Need for School Building Investment
Educational Programming Reports
Working with Turner Townsend & Heery and Harriman Architects, the school department developed Educational Programming Reports to enhance understanding of our schools' educational goals and the ways in which current school designs are impeding our progress. While the need to address the building envelope (roof, walls, windows, foundation) and outdated mechanical systems at CEMS and Pond Cove Elementary School has been well documented in other reports, the Educational Programming Reports focus on how our school design impacts teaching, learning, safety, school climate, and culture at Cape Elizabeth Schools.
Educational Visioning Sessions
During several sessions throughout November 2023, a group of Cape Elizabeth administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community partners went through a step-by-step visioning process to inform the design of the school facilities.
The Cape Elizabeth Educational Visioning Group (EVG) participated in three workshops run by Harriman Architects and New Vista Design. Participants were led through a step-by-step visioning process aimed at building off of the community’s previous visioning work, capturing the best thinking about CESD’s current and future educational goals and priorities, and connecting them to best practices and possibilities in innovative school facility design.
State of Cape Elizabeth School Infrastructure
A November 30, 2023 Public Forum, hosted by the School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) focused on evaluating the current state of Cape Elizabeth’s school facilities. Harriman Architects and Superintendent Chris Record presented an overview, highlighting the importance of data collection and developing various options for the schools. The forum underscored the necessity of aligning school facilities with modern educational needs, particularly 21st Century Skills. Discussions covered safety, efficiency, and sustainability issues in the existing structures, as well as potential solutions ranging from basic repairs to complete new construction.
Barriers to Education in our Existing Schools
