RSU 68 moving forward with HVAC and elevator grant application

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Following a pair of straw polls by the school board, RSU 68 Superintendent Stacy Shorey was given the go ahead to pursue a grant application for an HVAC system upgrade at the SeDoMoCha School and elevator installation at the superintendent’s office building at 572 Bangor Road. The projects could be covered in large part through the Maine Department of Education’s Revolving Renovation Fund.

According to a draft of the minutes of the Oct. 1 school board meeting at the SeDoMoCha School, Shorey had tentative quotes for the HVAC system ranging between $750,000 and $1 million. The elevator looks to be around $188,000.

Based on the amount of state funding RSU 68 receives, the state would cover 67 percent of costs and the district would pay back the other 33 percent. “However, that amount is interest-free for 10 years,” Shorey said during the September board meeting, with RSU 68 having until 2026 to start expending any awarded monies.

The superintendent will work on the grant applications. A vote by the public could be part of the school budget referendum in Charleston, Dover-Foxcroft, Monson, and Sebec next June.

Neighboring SAD 41 of Milo used the Revolving Renovation Fund program several years ago for air system upgrades at Milo and Brownville elementary schools. The $935,000 project had a $670,000/$280,000 split with SAD 41 paying back $28,000 annually over a decade.

In 2017 SAD 41 residents approved an approximate $474,000 Revolving Renovation Fund loan for a sprinkler system and elevator at the Penquis Valley School.