An interim summary from the Maine Governor’s Commission on School Construction says an estimated $11 billion will be needed over the next two decades to repair or replace hundreds of aging school buildings across the state.
Fox23 Maine reports that the commission has concluded that about 500 of the state's 600 public schools will need replacement or significant renovation by 2045. Many school campuses were built in the 1950s and 1960s and are struggling to meet basic health, safety and educational standards.
The commission warns that without major changes to how the state funds and plans school construction, the problem will only grow — with more schools falling into disrepair each year.
School construction in Maine is funded through local property taxes, bonds and limited state aid. Only the highest-priority projects receive funding from the state support. In the most recent funding cycle, 97 schools applied for major capital funding, but only a fraction are expected to be approved.
The report notes that most schools in Maine lack dedicated maintenance funding, which results in repairs being deferred.
The interim summary stops short of making final recommendations but outlines potential strategies the commission will explore in the coming months.
These include:
- Creating a centralized office to support districts with planning, financing and design
- Developing standardized school prototypes to reduce costs and speed up construction timelines
- Requiring districts to contribute funds, rather than the existing all-or-nothing state funding approach, could increase capacity for more projects
- Expanding funding for preventive maintenance and larger renovation projects
- Exploring public-private partnerships and philanthropic support to supplement state and local funds
- Encouraging school consolidations in areas where multiple under-enrolled schools operate
A final report, including recommendations, is now expected later this year.
