Scarborough voters approved two school bond measures in November 2025 that will complete renovations and additions at four schools (Blue Point, Pleasant Hill, Wentworth, and Scarborough Middle School) and build a new, much larger primary school at Eight Corners. That successful bond measure was built on the work of two robust school building advisory committees that included representatives from the Town, school administration and community members. After the referendum, the Scarborough School Board voted to create a new committee that would continue consensus building and creative problem solving, but focus on execution and oversight rather than planning. In November 2025, the Post Referendum Building Committee (PRBC) was created, and a public call was made to recruit community members with the diverse knowledge and skills needed for this phase of the project.
There was a strong response to the call for applicants. By mid-December 2025, almost 25 community members submitted applications to serve. From this pool, nine individuals with a deep well of expertise were selected. This combined expertise encompasses school construction, site development, contracting, real estate law, public works, environmental engineering, power and security systems, financial oversight, procurement, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. The new community representatives on the PRBC are Tucker Adams, Michael Dumas, Thomas Eschner, Matthew Garrett, David Heiberger, Jodi Mezzanotte, Scott Milliken, James Pritchard, and April Sither.
These new committee members are passionate about the future of education in Scarborough. A few shared their thoughts about their hopes for the committee and education in our town. Scott Milliken summed up his interest in serving this way: “I joined to support the School Board during an important moment for our schools. My hope is that the committee adds perspective and care to a process that balances fiscal responsibility with the needs of students, educators, and the community.” Tucker Adams added, “Scarborough is a vibrant community, and it’s vital that our schools reflect the values and aspirations of our town, ensuring a bright future. Finally, April Sither reflected on the need for continued public engagement, “I feel strongly that maintaining public participation and fostering relationships with the community are still a top priority as the project develops.”
PRBC members will serve alongside nine town and school representatives, including: School Board Chair Shannon Lindstrom, School Board member John Kelleher, Town Councilor Larry Cain, Scarborough Public Schools’ Superintendent Diane Nadeau, Scarborough Public Schools’ Facilities Director Todd Jepson, Scarborough’s Community Services Director Nick Cliche, and school principals Jennifer Humphrey, Kathleen Tirrell, and Allison Wilson.
The PRBC is off to a quick start with a kick-off meeting on January 13, 2026. The committee will meet monthly through 2029, and will advise and support the Board of Education on matters related to the building project. This includes oversight of design and construction, the project budget, and the schedule. This will involve a feedback loop between the architectural and construction teams, which will report on project progress, and the committee, which will supply guidance to keep the project moving forward. The PRBC’s equal balance between community members and public officials should ensure the community feels informed, included, and confident in each phase of the building project.
School Construction Timeline
The school building project implementation schedule is divided into three phases. Phase 1 will unfold in 2026 and focus on finalizing architectural designs, reviewing and updating cost estimates, and completing construction documents. Phase 2 will focus on putting the project out to bid and selecting the primary contractor (Spring 2027). Phase 3 focuses on construction and unfolds over 2.5 years. The small addition planned for Wentworth School will be completed by Spring 2028. The two-story addition to the Middle School will wrap up by Spring 2029. And new construction and major additions planned for the K-2 schools should be delivered by Fall 2029.
The PRBC has a lot on its plate. Scarborough is well represented by these dedicated and talented community members and public servants who will help the project stay on track. The future for Scarborough’s schools and students looks bright!
