FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAPE ELIZABETH, ME, May 31, 2023 -- The Cape Elizabeth School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC), established in March 2023, is making significant strides toward addressing the town's school building needs. 

The SBAC was formed with a commitment to develop a practical and cost-conscious plan to address the needs of the town's schools, with a goal for a revised referendum by November 2024. A key component of this new approach involves hiring an Owner's Representative. This professional team will provide much-needed technical guidance and expertise; assistance with developing construction options; cost and risk management; and general support for the committee's responsibilities. After a rigorous evaluation, the committee made a recommendation for selection. On May 30, the Town Council and School Board unanimously voted to approve the recommendation and begin contract negotiations with the selected firm. 

In addition, the SBAC is finalizing plans to send a survey to each household in Cape Elizabeth in July. This survey seeks to understand how different groups in town feel about the school project and why the referendum in November did not pass. The SBAC is seeking high participation to ensure future plans reflect the needs and concerns of the community. After the survey results are analyzed, the SBAC will communicate these findings in a public forum.

The committee spent its initial weeks learning about the history and needs of the school buildings and creating a plan to move forward with an informed, inclusive approach. In a joint statement, committee co-chairs Town Councilor Penny Jordan and School Board Member Cindy Voltz said, "The Owner's Representative and the town-wide survey are vital tools for this committee’s work. We're committed to meeting the needs of our students and educators, engaging with our community and being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

Together with the Owner’s Representative, the SBAC will begin an evaluation of previous work and move toward the development of options to address the needs of the school buildings, which will lead to a recommendation to present to the voters of Cape Elizabeth. The committee also plans to conduct public outreach and establish a timeline for the successful completion of the project. All SBAC recommendations require the endorsement of both the School Board and the Town Council. Additionally, a bond referendum is dependent on the majority support of Cape Elizabeth's citizens, currently targeted for November 2024.

The SBAC encourages all community members to engage in this process and stay informed. They are confident that their collaborative and thoughtful approach will guide Cape Elizabeth into a beneficial educational future for students, educators, and the wider community.

About the Cape Elizabeth School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC)

The SBAC is a joint initiative by the School Board and the Town Council, formed in March 2023. Its mission is to create a strategic, cost-effective plan to address the school building needs of Cape Elizabeth following the rejection of a $116 million school bond referendum in November 2022. The SBAC's work is focused on thorough assessment, comprehensive community outreach, and the development of a plan that serves the needs of students, educators, families, and the community.

For more information, please visit the committee website: https://www.capeelizabeth.com/news/post/4965/