Facilities

September

The Do Not Drink Order is removed at DISES.  We have taken down postings and resumed normal drinking water operations per Scott Whitney, Public Water System Inspector.  This means the manganese, the PFAS, and the arsenic all passed the tests.  

PFAS Results for the High School - passed for third quarter.

October

Beginning our work for SRRF is a priority this month.  Maine’s School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF) provides low-interest loans, part of which is forgiven, to school districts to address health, safety, energy, and learning-space renovation needs. The program is state-funded through the Maine Municipal Bond Bank, and forgiveness rates range from 30% to 70%. This revolving structure means repaid loans are reinvested, helping sustain funding for future projects.

November

School Revolving Renovation Fund(SRRF) - The Maine DOE SRRF provides assistance to schools to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment.  The top priorities this year address health, safety, and compliance issues.  It is a partnership funding model using the percentage of need in a community to determine the percentage of state supporting funds.  The portion that is state funded is considered a grant and is forgiven (30-70% based on subsidy).  The remaining portion is a loan with zero percent interest.  The loan amount is capped at $2 million per priority, per school.  It would take a year to build the application, but could be a way to address some of the items on the school’s “To Do” list.  

December

PFAS Reimbursement paperwork was completed before the December 31st deadline.  

January

To apply for the Maine’s School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF), a project manager (architect or engineer) is required to provide project budget and technical supporting documentation for the application for SRRFunds.  The upfront investment of $10K would position CSD#13 to move forward strategically regardless of the grant outcome.  If we are not awarded the grant, the projects would be prioritized, costs determined, and a long term facilities plan would be in place. The towns could then use that information to pursue other funding opportunities, utilize a loan, or proceed incrementally as local funds allow.  The Maine Department of Education offers a sample model of a Request for Qualifications to procure a project manager.  

February

School construction appears to be a priority issue for the Education Committee this spring. The Education Committee held a work session on one of its only bills carried over from the last session, LD 1892: An Act to Establish Procedures for School Construction Projects. Legislators have been clear that the bill is intended as a "vehicle" for whatever school construction policies the committee hopes to pass. 

Potential policy ideas proposed by the bill's sponsor, Rep. Brennan:

• Boosting the Revolving Renovation Fund: One proposal would add millions more each year to the Revolving Loan and Renovation Fund, and significantly raise the limit on eligible projects (up to $8 million).

• Increasing Debt Service for Major Capital School Construction Program to $200 million by 2029: This would provide more funding for new school projects each year.

• A Potential School Repair "Accelerator" Program: This program would help provide funds as a "rapid response" to schools needing immediate roof repairs or HVAC repairs, above and beyond normal maintenance.

The project manager position will be advertised using the State provided template for a Request For Qualifications (RFQ).  Last week, the Superintendent’s Office Team learned together who to contact at the Department of Education (DOE) to use the BGS (Bureau of General Services) to post the ad and put another document on our website with detailed information about the services solicited and our interest in the School Revolving Renovations Funds (SRRF).  We created an RFQ to share with the DOE to post on the BGS in the hopes of securing a project manager to help us secure a grant through SRRF or at least scope out the work to be done.  

March

The Governor’s Commission on School Construction final report is available here.

Key findings from the Commission’s report include:

• Pursuing strategies to reduce the cost of major capital construction and renovation, as well as deferred maintenance and school equipment and supplies.

• Identifying methods for increasing funding to address school infrastructure needs-now and in the future. Options may include an increase in the debt service ceiling, additional funding for the School Revolving Renovation Fund (and increased flexibility for Fund uses), exploring philanthropic and grant-seeking opportunities for public schools, and potential public-private partnerships.

• Utilizing data analytics and financial modeling to support multi-year planning for major infrastructure-enabling state and local entities to better predict and plan for expenditures over a longer period of time.

Project Manager - The CSD advertised to procure services to assist with project

documentation for the State of Maine School Revolving Renovations

Fund process.  Qualifications packages were due at 1:00 p.m. on February 20, 2026.

The scope of work includes project management services with the development of a five-year construction plan, prioritization of capital projects, identification of funding sources to support the local capital budget, and identification of available contractors and supplies needed.

Interviews were scheduled in early March.  We will bring a candidate for approval to the April Board meeting.

April

A Team to manage the capital improvement and facilities maintenance plans has been selected.  The candidate will be nominated for hire at the April Board meeting.  Three candidates were interviewed.  The team looked for experience, qualifications, and approach to securing grants for our schools.  

• The candidate being recommended emphasized a customized approach with expertise in long-term, phased capital planning to upgrade and prioritize needs over multiple years. 

• The team is experienced in navigating Maine School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF), providing technical documentation that aligns with the funding criteria and project scope requirements.  

• The team is grant funded; therefore, their facility assessment and planning will not result in a cost to the towns.

The PFAS Reimbursement of $54,818.00 was deposited on 1/9/26.

Electricity - Union 76 negotiated a two-year contract with Constellation for electricity supply that expired in the fall of 2022.  Since that time, the schools have been paying prevailing market rates.  

Union 76 belongs to the organization, formerly Maine Power Options (https://www.mainepoweroptions.org/), now Power Options, which utilizes a competitive bidding process on a three-year cycle.  Constellation currently serves as the electric supplier for participating members.  

Following a meeting with a Constellation representative, Union 76 was offered a rate that could only be guaranteed for one day only, sufficient to secure service through the end of the year, at which time a longer term rate could be pursued.  Due to the time factor, the Superintendent authorized entry into a seven-month contract on April 8, 2026 at a fixed rate of $.08730 per kWh, as permitted under Bidding/Purchasing Policy DJ (4.04). In addition to the reduced rate, the Constellation supply charge will now appear directly on the Versant utility bill each month, rather than as a separate invoice included in the warrant.

May

Budget Vision Regarding Facilities

Maintaining safe, functional, and forward-looking facilities - A grant-funded project manager will lead the development of a multi-year facilities plan, ensuring careful planning and access to additional funding sources.

Maximizing resources and pursuing outside funding - Through efforts like REAP-funded improvements to the greenhouse, and expertise in programs like the Maine School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF), we are actively leveraging grants to reduce the burden on local taxpayers.

Investing in a strong and vibrant future for our schools - This budget prioritizes both people and place, supporting students through programming and staff, while protecting the school facilities that serve as the heart of our community. It is a balanced, responsible plan designed to ensure long-term stability, opportunity, and success for Deer Isle-Stonington students.

Our new Project Manager Steven Furgeson spent a day during vacation completing an initial tour and inspection of the buildings (both the high school and elementary school). This was a productive initial step in getting the capital improvement project underway.  He placed data loggers throughout the buildings, so we will keep the windows and doors closed for two weeks to get the best data possible.

June

On June 2, we met with our new Project Manager, Steven Furgeson, and roofing specialist Tim Ingraham to review the results of the indoor air quality monitoring and discuss facility needs at both schools.

Steve Furgeson presented carbon dioxide (CO₂) mapping data generated from monitoring devices placed throughout the buildings. The results indicated elevated CO₂ levels in three of four monitored classrooms at the elementary school and three of five monitored areas at the high school. Based on the data collected to date, he does not have immediate concerns about student or staff health and safety. However, he recommends expanding data collection when school resumes in the fall, as additional monitoring may help identify opportunities for ventilation and HVAC system improvements.

The team also reviewed roof condition assessments for both buildings. Photographs documented areas of concern on each roof. The elementary school roof requires re-shingling, and the high school roof is in similar condition. Both roofing systems are approaching the end of their useful life. In addition, several repairs to the high school roof have been identified as immediate priorities and will need to be addressed promptly.

Steve Furgeson will continue gathering information throughout the summer and plans to attend the August Board meeting to present his findings and recommendations. His work will focus primarily on building envelope improvements and indoor air quality that may be eligible for funding through the School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF) program. He anticipates completing the SRRF grant application by early October.