Building projects a strain on SAD 9

Morning Sentinel, September 27, 2007

(excerpt) School Administrative District 9 officials have frozen funds for classroom supplies and dipped into other accounts to cover higher-than-expected architect fees for two major building projects.

Superintendent Michael Cormier outlined to SAD 9 directors Tuesday night the measures he has taken to pay $400,000 this school year for design services for the Mallett School and Mt. Blue High School/Foster Regional Applied Technology Center projects.

Cormier included $100,000 in this year's budget for architectural expenses, but later found that figure far short of the fees that were negotiated later.

The fee for hiring PDT Architects of Portland is $374,000 to design the high school renovation, and for Stephen Blatt Architects, also of Portland, $190,000 for the Mallett School renovation or replacement. Of the $564,000 total, $400,000 is due this year.