Millinocket School Superintendent Pushes Forward with Plans for New Track at Stearns High School

MILLINOCKET -- Unfazed by the harsh economic times in Millinocket, the Katahdin area, and the state of Maine itself, Superintendent Colbry intends to push forward with plans for a new track at Stearns High School.

Colbry estimates the cost of a new 400-meter track at $195,000, although he is considering expanding the project to an 8-track lane, which would increase the costs by $70,000.

The project is designed to be completed in three phases, with the possibility of also building a new three-story press box, at a cost of $28,000, and a new bathroom, for another $17,000.

Serving a town of approximately 5,000 people, the Millinocket school budget is currently $8,380,485.45 per year, of which more than a half a million tax dollars go to administrative personnel who do not teach children.

Even before the December closure of Great  Northern Paper Company, the town’s only major industry, more than half of the students enrolled in the Millinocket schools qualified for free or subsidized lunches.

Colbry explains that he intends to seek funds outside of the local area

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Email Superint. Colbry

Colbry, a Lincoln resident who himself enjoys a salary of $74,845 plus expenses, argues that a new track is a positive thing that needs to be achieved, and states his belief that it would serve as an offset to all the difficulties the towns and region are facing.

Editor’s Notes:

• Mr. Colbry, can you please explain to us just how a new track is going to help us through the difficult economic times? wouldn’t a tax savings be more advantageous to those here who cannot currently pay their taxes?
• Mr. Colbry, I understand that you are seeking funds from outside of the immediate area. Have you considered how this may affect those who are soliciting outside funds for more immediate needs, such as necessary heating oil and food, or to pay mortgages and utilities? Will anyone take our genuine needs seriously if we are simultaneously looking to upgrade a high school track at costs likely to exceed $200,000? What would you think if someone drove up in a Jaguar and asked you for a handout?

-- Ken Anderson 02/11/03