UPDATE: Residents are voicing concerns as Presque Isle officials confirmed plans to close the nearly 70-year-old Zippel Elementary School. During an urgent informational meeting held on October 24, 2023, at Presque Isle Middle School, over 100 community members gathered to discuss the proposed closure that aims to impact the upcoming school year.
If approved, grades 2-5 will transition to Presque Isle Middle School, while grades 7-8 will move to Presque Isle High School. This consolidation is projected to save the district approximately $158,000 annually and create space for full-day kindergarten and enhanced special education services for students ages 3-5. MSAD 1 Superintendent Ben Greenlaw explained the necessity of these changes, citing declining enrollment of 8% since 2012, which has left the district with 10 empty classrooms in the high school.
The current structure of Pine Street Elementary, which serves pre-K through 2nd grade, lacks the capacity to accommodate these new programs without the proposed consolidation. “As a district, we’re going to have to reorganize, whether we do it this year or in a couple of years,” Greenlaw stated, emphasizing the urgency of the adjustments.
Residents raised questions about the decision to close Zippel instead of the older Pine Street. Greenlaw defended the choice, highlighting Pine Street’s layout and green space as more suitable for younger students. “It just felt like we’d be working really hard to make Zippel like Pine Street,” he explained.
Concerns regarding student safety during the transition were also addressed. Greenlaw assured parents that middle school and high school students would have separate bell schedules, lunch periods, and bathrooms. He displayed a floor plan showing the first floor designated for middle school classrooms, while high school spaces would be on the second floor. “It’s not going to be the end of the world if a junior walks down on the first floor of the high school,” Greenlaw said, aiming to ease fears while emphasizing a plan for student safety.
In response to financial implications, Greenlaw detailed a previous consolidation plan that was deemed too costly, estimating renovation expenses exceeding $17 million. The current plan is expected to cost just over $1.3 million but aims to streamline operations and ultimately enhance educational offerings.
The district is moving forward with four crucial steps before the school closure can become official. MSAD 1’s Board of Directors is set to vote on the proposal during their meeting on March 17, 2024. Following this, the plan will require approval from the commissioner of the Maine Department of Education, followed by a public hearing in Presque Isle in May and finally a referendum on June 9, 2024. If the referendum passes, the future of Zippel Elementary will be decided, with indications that the property may be transferred to the city of Presque Isle for further use or demolition.
As the community grapples with these developments, the impact on students and families remains a pressing concern. The outcome of the upcoming decisions will significantly affect the educational landscape in Presque Isle as the district seeks to adapt to financial and demographic challenges.
