Work continues on RSU 68 central office HVAC system
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Work is progressing on the HVAC system upgrades to the RSU 68 superintendent’s office.
The condensers are now in place, Superintendent Stacy Shorey said during a school board meeting on Nov. 4 at the SeDoMoCha School. “They’re not working but they are in there.”
Duct work has been cleaned, she added.
In June, RSU 68 residents approved a $971,540 loan for the HVAC system through the Maine Department of Education’s zero interest rate/loan forgiveness School Revolving Renovation Fund for indoor air quality renovations.
Under the School Revolving Renovation Fund, the Maine Municipal Bond Bank has given RSU 68 loan forgiveness of about two thirds of the expenses of the loan principal, an estimated $640,925. The district is obligated to replay only 34 percent or an estimated $330,615. Payments of just over $33,000 would be made annually over a decade with zero percent interest.
The 572 Bangor Road building, which for many years was the Charlotte White Center central office, was constructed in 1982. HVAC equipment was replaced in 2000 but the design problem of no mechanical ventilation was not remedied and currently student space is not adequately ventilated.
The complex includes the superintendent’s office as well as leased space for Hayes Law Office, together making up about 16 percent of the building. These areas are not covered by the School Revolving Renovation Fund since students are not there.
RSU 68 will pay $127,000 for superintendents and law office ventilation upgrades. This will come out of maintenance reserve funds.
In other business, SeDoMoCha School Principal/Athletic Director Cameron Archer gave an update on enrollment numbers and the fall sports season.
The pre-kindergarten to grade 8 building has a student count of 635, split 365-270 between the elementary and middle schools. The 635 figure is up by one from October.
The middle school fall sports season has concluded.
Eagle football finished with a record of 4-3. The A girls soccer team went 7-3 and reached the Penquis League semifinals.
The A boys soccer team won nine of 10 games and captured the Penquis League Large School title, after falling in the championship game the previous two seasons.
SeDoMoCha field hockey capped off an undefeated year with the Penquis League championship, the second in a row for the Eagle squad.
“We are fortunate to have all three sports wrap up on a good note and get on to the winter sports season,” with basketball and cheer having just started, Archer said.
SeDoMoCha School drama has also begun.
“[Director David Murray] has a great problem with 55-60 kids trying out,” Archer said.
Not everyone has a part in the winter production but the idea of having a “B” drama group is being looked at to ensure all students have an opportunity.
About 35 students are being transported from schools across town to the Central Hall Commons for drama, Board Chair Jenny Chase said. Chase is also transportation director for Rowell’s Garage, which buses for RSU 68. This number will increase slightly when additional students join the cast to fill smaller roles.
Foxcroft Academy offered its first dance class taught by a student, senior Addie Guthrie, Head of School Arnold Shorey said in his report. The class was offered as a fine arts elective.
Class members demonstrated what they learned before most of the school.
“The performance was outstanding and we had students up there who thought they would never get up in front of a crowd,” Shorey said.
The week prior the secondary school had its annual flag ceremony to recognize all the nations represented in the school hallways. Students and staff from each country stood in front of the student body and shared interesting facts about their homelands, first in English and then in their native language.
“We have 22 different flags on our wall this year,” Shorey said.
The Nov. 4 meeting was the first for new board members Ryan Buttice of Dover-Foxcroft and Megan Dyer of Sebec, with Chase and Stacy Shorey welcoming both.
In September, Buttice was appointed by the Dover-Foxcroft Select Board to fill a vacancy through the June 2026 municipal election
Dyer was appointed by the Sebec Select Board last month to fill the town’s position on the RSU 68 Board of Directors through 2026.