Two years after Edgecomb made the final payment on the elementary school, wear and tear is starting to show. On Feb. 13, Superintendent Bob Kahler and Principal Tom Landberg submitted separate lists showing maintenance priorities for the 22-year-old school. Kahler listed nine priorities to the Edgecomb School Committee. Four were deemed as more immediate: walk-in freezer and cooler, $15,175; grounds, $15,000; fire panel, $2,500; and miscellaneous safety upgrades, $20,000. 

The remaining list included $117,000 in paving costs. School officials believe paving could be done in four phases. The worst section is the upper parking lot. Kahler estimated paving for that section would cost around $37,000. HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) controls has a quoted $73,975 repair cost. Landberg reported the repair would enable school officials to better maintain classroom temperatures. LED (light emitting diode)  installation has a $107,000 cost. Landberg said the upgrade would result in more efficient light at a lower cost. An outside 20-foot-by-30-foot storage unit has a projected $72,000 cost. Landberg  said the unit would alleviate storage within the gymnasium. Exterior building painting has a $10,000 cost. Two sides were previously completed. School committee members believed the remaining two can wait.

In Landberg’s list, he echoed many of Kahler’s. He also had a few budget requests of his own. He anticipates for Fiscal Year 24 increased electricity and heating fuel costs. Landberg listed paving and resurfacing parking areas as a need. He reported the maintenance contract with Honeywell would have a slight increase. An electrical systems upgrade to LED lights was also being considered along with a Honeywell Digital Control heating system upgrade. He said mowing and school grounds cleanup from May to October was a high priority. He also included replacing the walk-in cooler and freezer as another immediate priority. 

After hearing about the building’s condition and budget needs, the committee wanted time to digest the information prior to drafting a proposed budget. Instead, Chairman Heather Sinclair called the nearly two-hour session a Fiscal Year 24 budget review. The school committee meets with the budget committee on Feb. 16. The committee asked to see budget figures which included using $100,000 and $150,000 for reducing the local tax assessment. Kahler said the Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 accounting firm would have those projections ready prior to their Feb. 16 meeting.

Once the requested information is received, Sinclair said they may produce a first draft prior to the Feb. 16  meeting. The school committee reached a consensus on four budget priorities: walk-freezer and cooler, grounds, fire panel and miscellaneous safety upgrades as their priorities. 

In other action, Kahler said the school’s well problem was resolved. He explained the school had a recent boil water order which led to a well inspection. “The piping was replaced with a more durable and flexible non-metal pipe. The original pump was replaced, and things are really going well,” Kahler said. He added the school received an estimated repair cost, but a final bill had not been received. 

In his principal’s report, Landberg said the trial after-school program was a success and would resume following February vacation.

The school committee meets next at 5 p.m. Monday, March 13 in the cafeteria.