We're excited to share a major step forward for the families and students of Madawaska, Frenchville, and St. Agatha: the formation of a joint School Construction Committee that will guide the planning and design of a new school facility to serve all three communities.
This work is possible because MSAD33 has been placed on the Maine Department of Education's approved Major Capital School Construction list, a milestone years in the making. Recognizing the opportunity to do something bigger together, MSAD33 has invited the Madawaska School Department to join in a collaborative project. The state has confirmed that 100% of basic construction costs will be covered, with only "extras" funded locally. The building this committee helps shape will serve our students for the next 50 years.
What the Committee Does
The School Construction Committee is the governing body for this project. Its members will:
Develop the guiding principles and educational vision for the new building
Endorse recommendations from seven focused subcommittees (site selection, educational programming, design, finance, community engagement, technology, and furnishings)
Vote on major project milestones, including site selection, schematic design, and selection of the engineering and architectural firm
Serve as the community voice: Attending public forums, listening, and bringing input back to the table
Monitor the overall budget and timeline throughout the project
Day-to-day construction management belongs to our professional engineering and architectural team. The committee's role is to make sure the project reflects the values and needs of our communities.
First Meeting
The committee will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 6:00–7:30 PM at the St. John Valley Technology Center, facilitated by construction consultant Rick Lyons. The agenda includes orientation to Maine's school construction process, the committee's scope and subcommittee structure, the project timeline, and review of responses to the engineering services RFQ.
Your Committee Members
We are deeply grateful to the following individuals who have said yes to this work on behalf of our students and communities:
Shared / VUESC
Benjamin Sirois — Superintendent
Lucie Tabor — Shared Business Manager
Lise Pelletier — Special Education Director
MSAD33 (Frenchville & St. Agatha)
Robby Nadeau — Building Administrator
Brian Beaulieu — School Board Member
Kyle Labbe — Community Member, Frenchville
Robbie Chamberland — Community Member, St. Agatha
Jenna St. Onge — Elementary Teacher
Mike Berube — CTE Instructor
Kevin Lavoie — CTE Director / Facilities Oversight
Christine Hebert — Parent
Madawaska School Department
Christian Arnold — Building Administrator
Nick Guerrette — School Committee Member
Richard Dionne — Community Member, Madawaska
Colin Jandreau — Middle/High School Teacher
Rhiannon Hartvigsen — Special Education Teacher
Ashley Pelletier — Parent
Paul Chasse — Facilities/Safety Director
Facilitator
This is the second-in-a-generation effort for our communities, and it's one we intend to get right. We'll continue to share regular updates as the work moves forward, and we welcome your questions, your input, and your hopes for what this new school can be.
