AUBURN, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Edward Little High School has been on probation for poor facilities since 2009, and it will most likely stay there for another year.
Thomas Kendall, Chair of the School Committee said it will probably be another year until a proposal for renovation or construction goes to referendum.
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges placed Edward Little on probation for inadequate facilities in 2009.
Edward Little could lose NEASC's accreditation if school facilities do not improve.
Built in 1961, the high school needs a number of upgrades, from electrical repairs, to insulation, to a new cafeteria and auditorium, according to Principal James Miller.
"It's tired, it needs to be modernized. It needs to have things that just weren't available in 1961," said Miller.
A school committee has been looking at renovations for nearly a decade, Miller said, and is still looking for ways to get the school back in good standing.
For years, the committee had been applying for state funding to repair the school, but has not been approved for any money.
Committee members said in a meeting Thursday night that they are no longer expecting that money to come through, and will likely ask for taxpayer money.
They voted to re-hire a consultant with Harriman Associates in Auburn to help them prepare the proposal for referendum.
According to Harriman Architect Jeffrey Larimer, who conducted a study on the school in 2009, the renovations to the existing building would cost around $48 million.
Larimer said building a brand new facility would cost around $60 million.
He said repairs to the existing school might be cheaper, but wouldn't necessarily eliminate the school's problems.
"Even if we were to redevelop the exisiting site, they'd still have some of those limitations," said Larimer.
Prinicpal Miller said it it may seem like a slow process, but the committee is weighing a number of options.
"I think even though people are frustrated with the time table, it really makes sense to take a step back," said Miller.
"I think the community has said we want to do something, but we also want to make sure we do it right."
NEWS CENTER