UPDATE: Concerns are mounting in Presque Isle as officials from MSAD 1 reveal urgent plans to close the nearly 70-year-old Zippel Elementary School. During an information-packed meeting last night, over 100 residents gathered at Presque Isle Middle School to discuss the proposed closure, which could significantly reshape the district’s educational landscape for the upcoming school year.
The district’s plan, announced earlier this month, involves relocating grades 2-5 to Presque Isle Middle School and grades 7-8 to Presque Isle High School, a move aimed at saving costs and allowing the introduction of full-day kindergarten and enhanced special education services for younger students. Superintendent Ben Greenlaw emphasized the necessity of the consolidation, citing an 8% enrollment decline since 2012, which has left the high school with 10 empty classrooms.
In a critical shift, the state’s Child Development Services program will transfer responsibilities to districts by 2028, increasing the urgency for MSAD 1 to adapt. “We’re going to have to reorganize, whether we do it this year or in a couple of years,” Greenlaw stated, underscoring the pressing need for the proposed changes.
Residents expressed strong concerns regarding the decision to close Zippel over the older Pine Street Elementary. Greenlaw explained that Pine Street’s single-story layout and spacious grounds make it more suitable for younger students. “If we’re going to do that, it made no sense for us to move everybody from Pine Street to Zippel,” he said.
Parents also raised questions about the separation of middle and high school students. Greenlaw assured attendees that there will be distinct bell schedules, lunch periods, and bathrooms for both grade levels, with a strategic floor plan to ensure safety and comfort. “It’s not going to be the end of the world if a junior walks down on the first floor of the high school,” he remarked, attempting to alleviate community concerns about potential mingling.
The district evaluated another consolidation plan last year, which would have involved closing Pine Street and retrofitting Presque Isle High School to serve grades 6-12. However, the estimated $17 million cost of renovations made that option unviable. The current plan, which requires over $1.3 million in renovations, is projected to save $158,000 annually by closing Zippel.
The most significant changes will include transforming the Zippel playground area into a new parent pickup and drop-off zone, with plans to relocate playground equipment to Presque Isle Middle School. “The front circle at Presque Isle High School can easily hold about four cars,” Greenlaw joked, highlighting the need for efficient logistics.
Before the closure can be finalized, several steps must occur. The MSAD 1 Board of Directors will vote on the proposal during its meeting on March 17, 2024. If approved, the plan will then be submitted to the Maine Department of Education commissioner for further endorsement. Public hearings in Presque Isle will follow in May, culminating in a referendum during the June 9, 2024 primary election.
If the referendum passes, the future of the aging Zippel building will be determined, with Greenlaw indicating that it will likely be handed over to the city of Presque Isle for potential use or demolition.
As the situation unfolds, community members are urged to stay engaged and informed about the proposed school closures and their implications for the district’s children. More updates are expected soon as the board prepares for its critical vote.
