Saco voters approve school construction project

Voters in Saco overwhelmingly approved a referendum question to allow the construction of two new school buildings.

Saco residents voted 2340 to 810 to approve the $140.8 million project that will create two school buildings – a Pre-K and kindergarten building, and a first through fifth grade building- on Route One near the Mill Brook Business Park.

The project will be funded 72 percent by the state and 28 percent by the city. The Saco School Department has received funding from the state that would cover $101.4 million of the $109.3 million needed for the first through fifth grade building, with local tax dollars covering the remaining nearly $8 million. The second building, which would serve Pre-K and kindergarten students, would cost about $31.4 million and be funded locally.

"I am beyond proud that the citizens of Saco have overwhelmingly chosen to invest in our children's future. With the State of Maine contributing 72%, this was an opportunity we could not afford to pass up,” said Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail. "This will ensure Saco is well positioned to serve the needs of our families for generations to come."

Residents in Saco also approved the nearly $52.2 million Fiscal Year 2025 Saco School budget in a 2549 to 578 vote.

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