The Site Selection Subcommittee looked at nine possible building sites. They immediately discarded four because of a low rating based on a Standard Site Selection Criteria Matrix. They then considered very carefully five sites before making their choice.

The Abbott Hill site of the present school in Dexter was scrutinized and rejected. Reasons for building a new K-8 school complex on Abbott Hill included a long history of a school on that site, the location being close to the present high school and being within walking distance to town would save on busing. The fact that the school district already owns the land and the utilities are already established were other strong reasons to consider the present site. The acreage required for a 100,000 square foot building, 2.5 acres for parking, 7.5 acres for athletic fields and playgrounds, room for a bus unloading area, and a water runoff retention pond proved insurmountable. There is also a need for a second access road at a cost of over $800,000.

One of the major reasons the committee rendered a unanimous decision to locate the new school off Abbott Hill was that there would never be any room for expansion of either the K-8 facility or the high school.

The Garland Road site chosen is more than adequate in size, situated in an acceptable location, and possesses the features required for a school to be designed for more than 750 K-8 students on a complete campus.

Copies of the subcommittee’s report are available at the MSAD 46 Superintendent’s Office.