Biddeford Primary School Celebrates Groundbreaking for Expansion
Biddeford Primary School (BPS) celebrated the start of its long-awaited expansion project today with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by students, staff, community members, and local officials. The event marked a significant milestone in the district’s efforts to modernize its facilities and improve educational opportunities for its students.
The new expansion will add a wing to Biddeford Primary School, which will create a more stable academic environment and reduce transitions between schools for PreK-2 students. The project is expected to provide long-term savings for taxpayers by closing the aging John F. Kennedy School (JFK), which has served Biddeford for over 70 years but is now in disrepair. The expansion is being funded through a $9 million construction bond, which is estimated to save up to $16 million compared to renovating JFK.
“Today’s groundbreaking is not just about building more space; it’s about building a brighter future for our students,” said Jeremy Ray, Biddeford School Department’s Superintendent of Schools. “By expanding Biddeford Primary School, we are creating an environment where our youngest students, PreK-2, can thrive, have fewer transitions to offer more stability and opportunities, and honor our educators by ensuring they have the resources and environment to do what they do best: inspire the next generation.”
In his remarks, Superintendent Ray also spoke of the rich history of JFK: “As much as we cherish these memories, we recognize the significant challenges the JFK building faces. The school no longer meets the needs of our students or our educators, and the necessary renovations to fix inefficiencies and adhere to safety regulations would cost an astounding $25 million. Through careful budgeting and the infusion of federal funds, the BPS expansion would not only yield significant savings to taxpayers but also have a near-neutral impact on the budget.”
Principal Margaret Pitts thanked the community for their support and the project architect for their work. “This project wouldn’t be possible without the feedback and contributions from our students and staff. Their voices have been integral in shaping the design of this new wing, which will enhance the learning experience for years to come.”
Students from Biddeford Primary School gave a special performance of “This Land is Your Land” and the BPS Tiger Pride song, symbolizing the sense of pride they feel in their school’s future and their excitement about the groundbreaking.
Biddeford Mayor Martin Grohman publicly thanked voters for approving the bond last November and their continued investment in our community and education. “We say yes to projects like this. We say yes to new people enrolling in our schools, we say yes to 12 straight years of enrollment growth, and we say yes to adding on to our schools. We say yes to opportunity and optimism. Thank you to our community for saying yes.”
Zach Waters of Great Falls Construction and Leah Schaffer of Mobile Studio Design also spoke, sharing insight into the design process and expressing excitement about the project’s positive impact on the school and its students.
Construction of the expansion is expected to be completed by Fall 2025, at which time the John F. Kennedy School will be closed, and all PreK-2 students will attend Biddeford Primary School. A community-wide open house will be scheduled upon completion.
PHOTO CAPTION ABOVE:
(L-R) Biddeford School Department Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Ray, Biddeford Primary School Assistant Principal Nate Molleur, City of Biddeford Mayor Martin Grohman, Biddeford Primary School Margaret Pitts, and Biddeford School Department Business Manager Ashley Hicks. Photo Credit: Maureen Grandmaison Photography
FULL VIDEO OF EVENT: