This Three School Solution builds on Harriman’s prior work, fully funds 100% of critical investments at all three schools, and saves taxpayers up to $42M compared to the middle-school-only plan. It enhances learning spaces, preserves key community resources, and ensures no deferred capital improvement costs—offering far more educational value for all students than the current proposal. And unlike the old “Option B,” this plan keeps student disruption to a bare minimum.
Former SBAC community members Larry Benoit and Michael Hussey sent this to the Town Council and School Board today in the spirit of cooperation—because there’s still time to find a better path forward before the November 2025 referendum. Read the letter and explore the full presentation below.
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Dear Members of the Cape Elizabeth Town Council and School Board,
We write to you as two former members of the School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) who each contributed over 300 hours to studying, evaluating, and refining potential solutions for Cape Elizabeth’s schools. We recognize and appreciate the significant effort that has gone into shaping the revised Middle Ground proposal, and we share the same fundamental goal—ensuring the best possible educational facilities for our students.
Through our work on the SBAC, we had the opportunity to explore multiple approaches to balancing educational needs, fiscal responsibility, and long-term planning. With that in mind, we wanted to share an alternative Three School Solution—one derived entirely from Harriman’s previous work—that we believe better meets the needs of our students and community.
Key Advantages of This Plan:
A purpose-built, modern middle school wing with brand-new 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade classrooms (36,000 square feet), providing flexible learning spaces, world language, STEM, and special programming.
Minimal student disruption, just like the revised Middle Ground proposal—requiring only two portable classrooms during construction.
Immediate benefits to students at all three schools, including major investments in the High School and Pond Cove.
A new, dedicated cafeteria and kitchen serving both Pond Cove and the Middle School, eliminating overcrowding and reducing lost learning time for K-8.
No deferred maintenance costs—fully addresses all critical infrastructure needs rather than postponing up to $15 million in necessary repairs at Pond Cove and the High School.
Preserves and enhances key educational and community spaces, including a dedicated performing arts center, full-sized soccer fields, and a regulation-sized gym.
Achieves all of this for up to $42M less than the latest revised Middle Ground proposal, making it a more cost-effective investment of taxpayer dollars.
We send this in the spirit of collaboration, recognizing that there is still time to explore the best possible path forward. This is just one concept—one that builds on the prior work of the SBAC and offers a way to meet our shared goals in a more cost-effective and sustainable manner.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further. Thank you for your time and consideration of our proposal.
Sincerely,
Larry Benoit & Michael Hussey
Former Members, School Building Advisory Committee
Download the proposal here.
