service on the new facilities once modular costs are eliminated. “Our teams have been incredibly creative and flexible,” Porter says. “But these workarounds were never sustainable if we wanted to maintain the level of excellence our community expects.” COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY TRUST Community involvement has been central to the district’s planning process. MSAD #51 established multiple advisory committees, including building and turf committees, that drew on local expertise in construction, finance, and project management. “We had community members who understood the technical side of these projects,” Valenti explains. “That helped create confidence and accountability throughout the process.” Candura notes that collaboration is especially important in a district serving two towns, with all facilities housed in one location. “We are very mindful of how decisions impact both communities,” she says. “That includes tax implications and making sure we are good neighbors, particularly to residents near the campus.” Ongoing coordination with municipal leadership has helped address traffic, infrastructure, and neighborhood concerns as construction progresses. ATTRACTING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS Amid ongoing staffing pressures in education, MSAD #51 continues to attract a strong pool of applicants for teaching and support roles. 354 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01
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