Throughout April 2023, the School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) of Cape Elizabeth continued its work towards shaping the future of the town’s school infrastructures. The meeting on April 6th involved a deep dive into the history and specifics of prior projects, with Austin Smith and Calen Colby presenting detailed information on concept designs, site plans, space needs, population trends, and cost estimates from previous efforts. Discussions delved into the nitty-gritty of construction aspects such as sustainability elements, budgeting, square footage needs, and potential challenges, which provided a solid backdrop for future planning. Additionally, Colby presented vital details on sustainability and fiscal aspects related to past projects, ensuring that the committee was fully briefed on history to inform future directions. A discussion ensued regarding the potential and logistics for various aspects of the projects, including aspects like square footage needs and phased construction to manage costs effectively.
In the subsequent meeting on April 27th, the SBAC undertook a multi-faceted approach to ensure that all aspects of the ongoing and future projects were being effectively managed and considered. Committee Member Corinne Bell enriched the committee’s understanding with a presentation on Education Design, while Chair Jordan provided a crucial budget update, outlining the debt service and funding approach for the proposed work plan which the Town Council had authorized as part of the FY2024 budget. Significant progress was also noted in the area of owner’s representative proposals and developing a robust interview approach for potential candidates. Additionally, a focused approach towards community engagement and communication was spotlighted, with a subgroup being established to manage communication and outreach, including developing strategies and employing tools like Loomio for public input. An update on the survey RFP indicated forward momentum, with four proposals received and an interview and recommendation timeline established, showing a structured and planned approach towards public input and project management.
April 6, 2023 – SBAC Meeting
April 27, 2023 – SBAC Meeting
