Saco School Board agrees on proposed site for school construction

SACO — The School Board has agreed on a preferred site for proposed new school construction.

The Saco School district was approved for state funding from the Maine Department of Education Capital School Construction Program for construction of a new school building. The district would like to use this funding toward the construction of two buildings: a Pre-K and kindergarten building that would accommodate 382 students and a building for grades one through five that would accommodate 987 students.

When the school department’s initial preferred location – property owned by Sweetser- became unavailable, the Site Selection Subcommittee, in conjunction with the Programs Subcommittee and Building committee again reviewed potential sites.

The committees narrowed the choices down to a site on Portland Road and a site near Saco Middle School. After weighing out the pros and cons, the committees in a 26 to 1 vote recommended 840 to 850 Portland Road (Route One) as their preferred location. The site has 59 acres of city-owned land, with potential for enlargement with 21 additional acres available for purchase.

The School Board voted unanimously last week to pursue the Portland Road property, though there are several steps that need to be taken before final approval of the site, including a city-wide vote by residents next year.

The Portland Road property appears to have enough buildable acreage for two schools, according to a memo from Jeremy Ray to the school board. The city could proceed without the additional land but will work to acquire the abutting parcel. 

Wetland mapping of the property has been performed, and there are no significant vernal pools, no current evidence of environmental contamination and no known development restrictions, according to information from the school department. There is also potential for a link to the Eastern Trail.

“I’m really excited to get this moving forward and taking advantage of the state funding that we’re up for grabs for right now. Young school is well overdue. They’ve waited a couple decades for a new building and I think it would be shameful of us if we didn’t move forward and get the schools that are students deserve,” said School Board Member Sarah Truman.

School Board Member Beth Johnston said the Portland Road property wasn’t initially her first choice, but after doing a site walk on the parcel she saw a lot of potential. She said the committee members put a lot of thought, time and energy into making the best decision.

School Board Chairman Kevin LaFortune said the Portland Road parcel is well-suited for the school department’s development vision. The land is flat, the location is quieter than the parcel near Saco Middle School, and it’s close to the city’s public works department and the school bus garage.

“I don’t view it as a second choice. It rose to the top in my opinion because it’s a really good piece of land,” he said.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.