A Geothermal Credit Offers Hope For Construction Costs, SUN Program Update, Cell Phone Policy Explained, Budget Work Begins
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen.
BAR HARBOR—School board members discussed the preliminary draft school budget and the new school’s construction costs during their meeting, Monday, October 6.
According to School Superintendent Mike Zboray, the school will likely receive a geothermal tax credit. The credit could likely between $250k and $350k. That would be a savings used toward the overall cost, he said.
“That was, I thought, positive news,” Zboray told board members during their late afternoon meeting in the Conners Emerson library.
In July, Zboray announced that the school construction project’s $2.475 million contingency fund has been used and was over budget.
The fund is there specifically as padding in the approximately $58-million project that will construct a new elementary school in Bar Harbor and replace the aging and deteriorating Conners Emerson schools.
In June 2023, Bar Harbor voters passed a $58 million bond to rebuild the ailing schools and support the town’s K-8 population. Broken boilers, rain inundation, a wall pulling away from the foundation, poor air exchanges, limited classroom space, and a lack of insulation are just some of the buildings’ recent problems.
The bond passed 1,005 to 502.
The contingency fund had been used approximately 30% of the way toward the project’s completion and there is another $500,000 (approximately) over budget beyond that fund that had been used.
Since then, Zboray, Principal Dr. Heather Weir Webster, and the construction team has been looking for costs savings and looking at potential change orders.
“We’re just sort of methodically going through and looking for those places,” he said.
Savings has been found by looking at things such as different types of flooring.
“We’ve saved $106,000, which puts our total of savings allowances for all the different needs of the school at $276,000,” Zboray said. “We are continuing to look at other aspects of the school where we can support savings.”
He said that a DEP delay and other things, such as steel tariffs, “really took a bite out of our contingency.”
“I think we’re doing a really good job,” Zboray said about chipping away at the costs.
He met with the head of Wright Ryan last week about steel tariffs and costs associated with those and there may be some support for the project from the company.
“When you look at the building, it’s moving right along,” Zboray said, but all the news wasn’t good. “We have a problem to solve.”
That problem is the steam line that sends steam to the Conners building as part of the building’s heating process.
The steam line is at a higher level than the building and to begin to prep where the parking lot is and move kids to the building when the other building is being demolished, they have to move the steam line in an effective manner. He hopes to get a better idea of dates and how that transition might look between the time the heat is cut off and students move in to their final home—the new school.
“That will be interesting,” Zboray said.
“Where they are in the construction process, they are doing really well,” Zboray said.
Currently, the window to move in is between October 13 and December 8, 2026.
“The thirteenth being the day by which we would have a certificate of occupancy if all goes well,” Zboray said in an email on Wednesday.
The groundwork and geothermal system would be the following year.
PRELIMINARY BUDGET NUMBERS
The preliminary budget summary begins with an estimated carryover of $725K, which is approximately $154,296 more than expected. Much of that comes from a special education position that wasn’t filled ($119K) and savings in summer school ($20K). There were also overages in special education lines.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield saving was approximately $103K. The health insurance company is negotiating with Northern Light Hospital system. Those negotiations have been difficult.
“It’s looking good right now, but is this an area of concern for the budget,” Vice Chair Misha Mytar said.
“It’ll be interesting to see where they land: Anthem and Northern Light,” Zboray said. There are not a lot of other choices for healthcare in the area outside of that option. “Part of your increase and set of your rate is how your healthcare pool is utilizing it.”
Last year the school budgeted that use at 10% and it came in at 3%.
Part of Mytar’s concern was that the budget is built on assumptions that the members don’t know yet.
There are 51.8 members of staff and an enrollment of 323 students. In the 2016-2017 school year there had been 46.2 staff members and a total enrollment of 375. In 1997 there had been 518 students.
SUN PROGRAM
Dr. Webster spoke to the school committee about the school’s SUN (Students with Unique Needs) program.
“This is different from a traditional resource room because there is a focus on life skills as well as appropriate academic goals,” she wrote in a handout for school committee members. “We are lucky to have a kitchen facility in their current space and located near a bathroom. It also has a separate quiet work space when needed.”
According to Dr. Webster, when they were designing the new school that is currently being constructed, “we took the suggestions of our special education teacher in designing the new special education spaces.”
The SUN space will be on the second floor. It will have a kitchenette and bathroom within the class room as well as a small quiet room in the classroom and a quiet corner. It will be directly across the elevator for easier access for any students with mobility issues.
“Due to new students moving in, students transferring out, new referrals, and the differentiated needs of our students, caseloads for our special education and SUN teachers are flexible as well as the spaces they are in,” Dr. Webster wrote. “SUN is more of a philosophy and not a physical space so should we have students with a large age span, we would use either unused classroom spaces or the smaller classroom spaces on each floor then be creative with the SUN room space for cooking, quiet times, etc.”
There are currently two dedicated SUN spaces in the Conners building.
The program itself is based on individual needs of the students.
CELL PHONE POLICY
Dr. Webster also spoke to the school’s cell phone policy, which had previously been shared in the school’s Tiger Talk newsletter earlier this September.
Students are allowed to use their phones on the school bus.
“The bus hasn’t been that much of an issue,” Dr. Webster said.
This is especially true when they have been clear with expectations, she added.
Students can’t use their phones during school and also can’t bring their phones into the gym during a school dance.
“This is what we’ve been doing for the last few years,” Dr. Webster said.
Smart watches can be used if the WIFI is not on, but students can’t use social media on those watches. Swimmers and some other athletes use it to monitor their heartbeat, Dr. Webster said.
CLUBS AND CLASSES
Clubs and Classes is off and running for seventh and eighth graders.
“This time between 2:20-2:50 is designed to help build relationships between students and also create bonds with staff members under the goal of school connections.
“Students have study halls and music groups during this time, but also Buddy Read with youngers, cooking classes, woodburning, fencing, open gym, fashion club, jewelry making, Junior Beam Club, Civil Rights Club, art classes, and much more. Creating opportunities for connections and to explore interests are critical components to improved attendance and school connectedness,” Dr. Webster wrote in her principal’s report. “I really think that has been an excellent addition to seventh and eighth grade.”
It also speaks to having a middle school experience, she said.
PTSA Update: It’s TIGERaffle time!!
According to Tiger Talk,
“TIGERaffle packets for all students were delivered last week, so check those backpacks! We are so grateful for the outstanding support of our community in creating this year’s raffle calendar full of incredible prizes! You can see a full list of our 86(!!!) sponsors HERE.
“October 22 is the due date for all raffle entries. A winner will be drawn every day in November, winning all the prizes listed for that day! This PTSA fundraiser supports our events and programs, particularly our annual Teacher/Staff Grant Program. Past TIGERaffles have funded SO many enriching activities & supplies for our students, and we can’t wait to see what this year will bring!
“TIGERaffle tip: entries are cash/check only, however you can accept Venmo/Zelle/etc. and then write one check for all the entries your student sold.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Monday, October 13 No School/Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Friday, October 17 is School Safety Day
- Friday, October 17 is an Early Release Day (12:30 p.m.)
- Thursday, October 23 is the Talent Show at 5 p.m.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
Sign up HERE to receive pre-tagged CLYNK bags so that your cans & bottles can help support the PTSA & our school!
Learn more about the PTSA and sign up for our mailing list HERE
Next PTSA meeting: Tuesday October 7, 3:15-4:15 p.m., more info HERE
Follow the Conners Emerson PTSA Facebook page for PTSA news, helpful school info & reminders, and more!
Bar Harbor School Project Exceeds $2.475M Contingency Budget
·
Jul 18
HELP SUPPORT THE BAR HARBOR STORY
Together, We’ve Built Something Special
·
Sep 28
When we started The Bar Harbor Story, we didn’t know if anyone would read it.
But you showed up. You shared. You sent tips. Now—over 400,000 views every month later—it’s clear: people here care about their community and each other.
We’ve kept everything free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories take time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going.
If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship.
It truly helps us cover one more meeting, tell one more story, shine one more light.
Even $5 a month makes a difference. Click here to become a one-time supporter now.
Thank you so much for being here.
Founding member information can be found here.
Have questions about sponsorships? Just send Shaun an email at sfarrar86@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you.
You can help us keep bringing you the news.
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Discover more from Bar Harbor Story
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.