The Edgecomb School Committee unanimously appointed Nichole Price Jan. 4, to fill a vacancy. Price replaces Dawn Murray who resigned last month after being elected as a selectman. Price will serve as a school committee member on an interim basis until the May town meeting. She can either run for election and other candidates may seek election. As a new school committee member, Price finds herself in the middle of the 2020-21 budget season. The committee is working with administrators and educators on creating a first budget draft. The committee scheduled a Jan. 26 workshop to consider educational spending proposals. 

“We’re not quite there yet,” said Board Chairman Tom Abello. “We can work out some of those details in the workshop, and dig into it more, at the next (regular committee) meeting.”

In February, the school committee will present its proposal to the Edgecomb Budget Committee. As far as the current budget goes, Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Superintendent Dr. Keith Laser reported two rounds of federal stimulus funds from the CARES Act provided needed funds for Edgecomb Eddy School’s mold remediation. The school received $140,000 in round two of federal stimulus funding. Laser reported most was used for mold remediation. In total, the school received $266,000 in stimulus funding.

The committee’s next major facility project is repairing the ailing 20-year-old school roof. Principal Ira Michaud reported $37,000 in insurance money was received for roof repairs. More insurance funds may follow as the payout did not include damage to the gymnasium roof.

Michaud is seeking a temporary fix to the gymnasium roof. He sought bids for “weather tightening” to deal with winter conditions. One company bid on the project. Michaud recommended accepting Porch Roof and Co.’s $4,995 bid. “The crew will install underlayment where there is significant curling or shingle lost. This will hold us until more significant work begins this summer,” Michaud said. 

The principal expects at least three companies will bid on the roof replacement. He will seek formal bids when the project’s scope is finalized. “In discussions with contractors, it looks like the cost may be lower than expected. So that’s really good news in that department,” he said. Edgecomb voters approved $230,000 last year for a capital reserve account to pay for potential roof  replacement or repairs.

The school committee meets next at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1 by Zoom conference.