PARIS – Maine School Administrative District 17 Superintendent Heather Manchester updated members of the school board on middle and elementary school construction projects at its business meeting last Monday.

Oxford Hills Middle School

With Oxford Hills residents’ approval to build the new Oxford Hills Middle School at the same site as the existing school, the process has now turned to architectural concept design.

Citizens confirmed the Pine Street, South Paris, location during a straw poll and public hearing held in May. The Maine State Board of Education gave its approval June 11.

The middle school construction committee had narrowed the number of potential sites in Paris and Oxford down to six last spring, including at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School and the Gouin Athletic Complex, before determining that the most feasible was the existing North Campus on Pine Street.

Harriman Architecture & Design is now drafting designs based on the education specifications as outlined by the school board and the volunteer school construction committee.

A second straw poll asking residents to approve the concept design will be held in September, with approval from the state Board of Education following. 

The new school will be built and old school removed in stages, with the playing fields expanding from one area of the property to three. 

If final approval of the school project is granted by voter referendum in November, SAD 17 will then submit its construction application to the state. 

Current estimates place the cost of a new middle school at close to $80 million, most of which would be covered by Maine Department of Education. Construction is expected to start early in 2027 and be completed by the start of the 2029 academic year.

Students from all eight SAD 17 towns in grades 6-8 will attend the new OHMS.

Consolidated elementary school

SAD 17’s elementary school construction committee has completed its review of educational specifications for a new school, to be built in an area to accommodate pre-K through fifth grade students primarily residing in Harrison, Norway and Waterford.

The new facility will also provide instruction and services for other elementary aged students in special education programs.

Elementary schools in Hebron, Oxford, Otisfield and Paris would remain open. West Paris students have attended Paris Elementary School since Agnes Gray Elementary School was closed in February of 2024. Starting with the 2025-26 school year, Harrison and Waterford students will all attend Harrison Elementary School; previously students in pre-K to sixth grade were enrolled at either Harrison Elementary or Waterford Memorial School.

Agnes Gray Elementary School is permanently closed. SAD 17 has also applied to Maine DOE to close Waterford Memorial for good.

A subcommittee comprised of building principals and district administrators has been tasked with drafting the educational vision for the new elementary school.

Meanwhile, the construction committee continues to assess potential locations in the Route 117 area between Norway and Harrison.

Sign up for our weekly community newsletter, Oxford Hills Now.