Oxford Hills Voters Approve $88.2 Million Middle School Project
MSAD #17 voters approve accepting $88.1 million in state dollars to fund 99.91% of the base project costs of building a new middle school at the existing South Paris site of the Oxford Hills Middle School.
South Paris, Maine – Oxford Hills voters have approved construction of a new $88.2 million Oxford Hills Middle School to be built on the existing site of the North Campus in South Paris, Maine. The new school will serve approximately 700 students in grades 6-8 from all eight Oxford Hills communities.
Middle School Referendum Question 1 passed by a vote of 5,137 to 3,154.
Passage of the question authorizes acceptance of $88.1 million in state subsidy to finance 99.91% of the base project costs matched by $75,600 in local spending for advertising, permits, and legal expenses.
Voters declined to authorize local funds for project upgrades that would have enlarged the base project gymnasium and added a set of “learning stairs” to the project.
The unofficial tally maintained by MSAD #17 can be found at this link. Please visit the MSAD #17 Building Projects Page to learn more about the project and process.
“We are incredibly appreciative of all the work and support that has gone into today’s vote to approve a new middle school for generations of Oxford Hills students, families, and educators,” said Heather Manchester, Superintendent of the Oxford Hills School District.
With passage of the referendum the district will move forward with final design and funding approvals and the selection of a construction company. Construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2027 with building occupancy expected in the Fall of 2028 and site completion in the Fall of 2029.
“Support for our schools and an expectation of value go hand-in-hand in the Oxford Hills,” said Troy Ripley, Chair of the Oxford Hills School Board. “Replacing an outdated and expensive middle school with a state-funded building is one of many steps the district is taking to keep the costs of a quality education within the means of local property tax payers.”
Right Sizing and Modernizing Oxford Hills School Facilities
The Oxford Hills School District is pursuing long term facilities cost solutions through two primarily state-funded school construction projects. The replacement of the middle school and an elementary school consolidation project will invest more than $150 million in state resources to help right-size and modernize the district’s school facilities by the end of the decade.
The projects would provide students with better access to services while eliminating $14-15 million in deferred maintenance obligations for local property tax payers. The primarily state-funded school projects are also expected to save more than $662,000 annually in operating costs upon completion.
Voter consideration of the consolidated elementary school project is expected in the Fall of 2026
West Paris residents voted 279-27 in May to permanently close Agnes Gray Elementary that served approximately 105 students. The school was vacated over safety concerns.
The voter decision to permanently close Agnes Gray Elementary will save more than $625,000 annually in facilities, staffing, and instruction costs while eliminating $4 to $6 million in deferred maintenance costs for local taxpayers.
In August the district completed the merger of its two low-enrollment elementary schools in Harrison and Waterford. Bringing PreK-6 grade students from the two towns together in Harrison is improving access to services and saving nearly $400,000 annually in operating costs for local property taxpayers.