Dear Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD Families, Staff, and Community Members,
As we settle into the 2026–2027 school year, we want to share a progress update regarding the major infrastructure project on our campus, what many across our community have affectionately dubbed the “Big Dig.”
This summer, we launched a major facilities project to replace 30-year-old underground fuel tanks at both school buildings, a critical upgrade to modernize our campus infrastructure. The new system has been thoughtfully positioned with future work at the elementary school in mind. While large-scale projects naturally bring a few hurdles, we know that the reality on the ground has required extra flexibility from everyone. From navigating temporary traffic pattern slowdowns during morning drop-off to managing fluctuating building temperatures as the early New England fall weather turns crisp, this project has required a true team effort.
While the delays associated with this project have certainly been frustrating, the patience and spirit of our school community have been extraordinary:
Our Students have demonstrated wonderful resilience, arriving each day ready to learn with bright smiles despite cooler fall mornings and new drop-off routines.
Our Educators and Staff have stepped up with incredible creativity and dedication, keeping classrooms engaging, vibrant, and warm in spirit while we finalize building utilities.
Our Parents and Families have shown immense grace and understanding as we work through adjusted traffic patterns and facility workarounds together.
We are excited to share that we have reached a major turning point in the project and are seeing strong forward momentum:
Passed Critical Inspections: On Tuesday, certified technicians completed comprehensive testing on our new fuel tank infrastructure. Every single component tested exactly as required, clearing a major hurdle.
State Approval & Fuel Delivery: Inspection reports are currently being processed for final state certification. As soon as paperwork clears, fuel deliveries will be made directly to our campus tanks.
System Startup & Heating Restoration: Technicians from Honeywell and our mechanical contractors are queued up to execute system startups, fire up the primary boilers, and fully restore central heating and domestic hot water service.
While final state approvals and system warmups take place, our team continues to prioritize student comfort and learning continuity. Our facilities team conducts early-morning walk-throughs across both schools to ensure learning spaces remain comfortable and well-maintained. The kitchen and facility protocols remain active to ensure full student nutrition and hygiene standards continue without interruption. Also, as heavy excavation finishes up, traffic patterns will return to their familiar routines, making drop-offs even smoother.
There is a bright, warming light at the end of this tunnel. We are very close to wrapping up this phase and enjoying a modernized, reliable infrastructure that will serve our schools for years to come.
Thank you again for your unwavering support, partnership, and positive energy. We will keep you updated as final system startup milestones are completed this week!
Warmly,
Jenn Whitney, CSD School Board Chair
Sewall Maddocks, CSD Board of Trustees Chair