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Scott Milliken is chief capital strategy and development officer at Housing Initiatives of New England Corporation, a Scarborough-based nonprofit and affordable housing organization. He is also a former educator and Scarborough parent.
Each morning when I drop off my twin boys at Scarborough Middle School, I'm reminded how lucky we are to live in a community that values education as deeply as ours does. Even before the first bell rings, there's a sense of purpose and energy that comes from the teachers, staff and families who make this town what it is.
But while passion and commitment have carried us far, our facilities haven't kept pace with the needs of a growing town. This November, we have a chance to change that.
The upcoming school referendum is about more than buildings. It's about how Scarborough grows and invests in its future while staying true to the character that long-time residents and new families alike cherish.
After the 2023 referendum failed, town and school leaders recognized the need for a more inclusive, transparent process. The School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) was formed in early 2024 -- a citizen-led group of more than 60 residents, educators and local officials who spent 18 months studying data, reviewing options and listening to community feedback.
The plan now before voters reflects that collaboration. It balances the realities of growth with fiscal responsibility and respect for Scarborough's neighborhood school model. This isn't a top-down proposal -- it's a community-built solution.
For many, Scarborough's neighborhood schools are more than places of learning -- they're the heartbeat of the town. They represent continuity, connection and pride. The proposed plan preserves that tradition while addressing overcrowding and the reliance on temporary classrooms.
It replaces aging portables with permanent, modern spaces; expands Eight Corners Primary School; upgrades neighborhood schools for greater efficiency; and adds capacity to the intermediate school to meet enrollment growth. It's a long-term, cost-effective plan that meets today's needs while preparing for tomorrow.
Beyond the technical details, this referendum is about community harmony. Change, if done poorly, divides. Change, if done inclusively, strengthens. Scarborough's future will look different from its past, but different doesn't have to mean worse.
The Downs development, population growth and shifting demographics all reflect progress. Communities that manage growth well do so by honoring tradition while embracing innovation. This referendum gives Scarborough the chance to do exactly that.
At the heart of our schools are the teachers, administrators and staff who bring learning to life. Research consistently shows that the single greatest in-school factor influencing student achievement is teacher quality -- and teacher enthusiasm directly fuels student engagement.
When educators feel valued, supported and proud of their work environment, that energy fills the classroom. Modern, well-designed facilities don't just enhance learning; they lift morale for teachers, students and families alike. Strong schools create strong community pride.
My sons have experienced the incredible commitment of our educators firsthand. Their teachers make every day meaningful, even while working in temporary classrooms. But portables aren't a long-term solution. The proposed plan gives our educators the space and tools they need to keep doing their best work -- and gives our community renewed confidence in its future.
For those who once envisioned a single, consolidated new school, this plan may not feel like the sweeping change they imagined. But it's a pragmatic, effective solution that addresses urgent needs, preserves Scarborough's neighborhood school tradition and does so at a fraction of the cost of earlier proposals. It's fiscally responsible, community-driven and focused on what matters most: providing every child with a safe, high-quality learning environment.
Hope is not a strategy. To secure Scarborough's future, we must act. By passing this referendum, we'll give our children the facilities they deserve, our teachers the tools they need and our town the reassurance that Scarborough can grow without losing what makes it special. This is an investment not just in buildings, but in the shared identity of our community.