RSU 68 central office HVAC upgrade underway
DOVER-FOXCROFT — In June RSU 68 residents approved a $971,540 loan for the superintendent’s office HVAC system through the Maine Department of Education’s zero interest rate/loan forgiveness School Revolving Renovation Fund for indoor air quality renovations.
“Work has started in earnest, they have their little trailer set up,” Superintendent Stacey Shorey said about the contractor during the monthly school board meeting Tuesday evening at the SeDoMoCha School. “Baby steps, but we are moving.”
A platform has been built behind the office to be able to reach the building attic.
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, Shorey said she spoke to the Dover-Foxcroft Select Board late last month.
At the Sept. 22 meeting the select board approved the appointment of Ryan Buttice to the RSU 68 Board of Directors, starting in November after current board member Brandon Hall steps down. Buttice will serve for the remainder of the 2025-26 academic year when the seat is set to be filled at June’s election.
Shorey said Mary Downs, Sebec’s long-time representative to the school board, has resigned and the community’s select board will need to appoint someone to fill the seat through 2026.
The superintendent met with Androscoggin Bank’s VP, Director of Government Banking John Simko and AVP Treasury Officer Angie Snow. Shorey said switching RSU 68 accounts to Androscoggin Bank, which has a business development office in Guilford, will result in about $10,000 more in annual interest revenues.
When asked, Shorey said Camden National Bank was unable to match the Androscoggin Bank offers.\
The school board approved the Tri-County Technical Center Cooperative Agreement for 2025-26, which is unchanged from the year prior.
Thirty-four Foxcroft Academy students attend TCTC, part of 313 total from school districts around the region.
Shorey said TCTC is about 90 percent filled, with programs such as truck driving and carpentry completely full.
In his board report SeDoMoCha School Principal Cameron Archer said the latest enrollment for the pre-kindergarten to grade 8 building is 634, up from the 628 count at the September board meeting. The split is 361/273 between the elementary and middle schools.
Archer said he wanted to credit Assistant Principal Davan Walker for all her work with the positive officer referral program. Archer said over 130 referrals were made the week prior.
Walker tries to call home on these positive office referrals whenever she can, and she writes messages on the forms which students have responded positively to.
The SeDoMoCha Middle School fall sports regular season is winding down for many of the Eagle teams.
Football has a record of 3-2, boys A soccer is 4-2 with the B squad at 4-1 and the A girls are 4-2 with B girls at 2-4. Archer said both A soccer teams should open at home for the Penquis League playoffs.
SeDoMoCha field hockey has a 10-0 record and many of the games have featured both the A and B teams splitting the minutes. The B field hockey team has a 2-3 mark.
The Eagle golf team has had some team members earn medalist honors at matches and the cross country team will run in two championship meets to conclude the 2025 season.
Attendance is a major focus of the 2025-26 academic year at SeDoMoCha, with a goal of 95 percent of students in the building each week.
Walker said so far there are 33 chronicably absent elementary students — who have missed three or more days — for a rate of 9.1 percent which is down from last year’s 20 percent. For the middle school it is 15 pupils or 18 percent, down from 24 percent.
Archer said attendance numbers are calculated by each classroom, often being a student’s job, and posted outside for all to see.
Foxcroft Academy Head of School Arnold Shorey mentioned in mid-September, school officials became aware of a potential threat affecting the secondary school.
A statement on the school Facebook page posted that day said, “We take all such matters very seriously and have immediately started working with local authorities to investigate the situation.
After a thorough review, we have confirmed there is no credible threat to the safety of our FA students or staff.
We know news like this can be upsetting. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority, and we will remain vigilant to any developing situations.”
“As you know, if word gets out on social media you have to address it,” Shorey said.
Foxcroft Academy held its annual Homecoming celebration last month and Shorey thanked the Dover-Foxcroft police and fire departments for helping with the events. The police department’s assistance enabled for the annual parade to proceed up West Main Street, and the fire department was on campus to ensure the bonfire could be held safely amidst the current drought conditions.
The Foxcroft field hockey team, Walker is the head coach of this Pony squad, is undefeated at 9-0. Shorey said the two soccer teams are currently ranked high enough in the Class B North standings to host preliminary round contests.