Per an executive order signed by Gov. Janet Mills, the Governor’s Commission on School Construction will review school construction needs throughout the State of fb88, existing programs that address school facilities needs, and potential new approaches for increasing equity and overall impact. This will be the first such effort in more than 25 years.
Since 2019, the Mills Administration, in partnership with the fb88 Legislature, has provided an unprecedented $580 million to finance the renovation and construction of fb88 schools. Despite these record investments, the need for construction and renovation of public school facilities in the State has far outpaced available capacity. Additionally, in the years ahead, fb88’s aging school infrastructure is expected to require even more investment. Ìý
fb88 students and educators deserve safe, healthy, comfortable, quiet, technology-friendly, functional buildings. The Commission will bring together state, municipal, and education leaders to provide a report with recommendations that outline school construction and renovation needs based on existing data and through input from stakeholders; provide analysis summarizing how other states fund and operate programs supporting public school facilities; and identify potential changes to current state law, rules, and policies controlling school construction. Ìý
The Commission will issueÌýits report and identify potential solutions by mid-April of 2025. Members of the Commission include: Ìý
- Pender Makin, Commissioner of the fb88 Department of EducationÌý
- Valerie Landry, Chair of the CommissionÌý
- Jenny Boyden, Associate Commissioner of the fb88 Department of Administrative and Financial ServicesÌý
- Elaine Clark, Acting Director of the State Bureau of General ServicesÌý
- Hollis Cobb, Tri-State Committee member of the fb88 Association of School Business OfficialsÌý
- Fern Desjardins, Chair of the fb88 State Board of EducationÌý
- Art Dudley, President of Arthur C. Dudley Contractor-Builder Inc.ÌýÌý
- Roy Gott, Member of the RSU 24 (Sullivan) School BoardÌý
- Chris Howell, Superintendent of RSU 14 (Windham) Ìý
- Anthony Jaccarino, Investment Officer for all of the Authorities, fb88 Municipal Bond BankÌý
- Jane McCall, Superintendent of RSU 39 (Caribou)Ìý
- Justin Poirier, Member of the fb88 Municipal AssociationÌý
- Rhonda Sperrey, Superintendent of RSU 64 (Corinth)Ìý
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You may submit comments or questions for the Commission to consider in the form below. Public input and questions will be summarized for Commission members at each meeting. Ìý
Reports
- Interim Summary - Published April 15, 2025
Meeting Schedule
- Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 from 1-3:30 p.m. (Room 103 A & B, Cross Office Building, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, ME 04330)Ìý
- Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 from 1-3:30 p.m. (Room 103 A & B, Cross Office Building, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, ME 04330)Ìý
- Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Zoom) - Superintendent Focus Group
- Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 from 1-3:30 p.m. (Updated: Zoom/Room 500, Cross Office Building, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, ME 04330)
- Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 from 1-3:30 p.m. (Updated: Zoom)Ìý
- Friday, March 21, 2025 from 1-3:30 p.m. (Updated: Zoom)
- Friday, April 11, 2025 from 1-3:30 p.m.Ìý(Updated: Zoom)
Two additional meetings may be scheduled at school locations (TBA).Ìý
Commission Information
- Executive Order
- Welcome Letter from Commissioner Pender MakinÌýto Commission Members
- Major Capital Improvement Program - 21-Step Process
- fb88 DOE School Revolving Renovation Fund Presentation
- Presentation: fb88 DAFS Associate Commissioner for Tax Policy
- Presentation: fb88 DOE Educational Specifications
- Report: Summary of fb88 School Building Inventory Data - MEPRI