The Elm Street School is one of the most iconic buildings in Camden. It has served our community for generations, having been built before the Civil War. Our families are among the many who have learned at Elm Street. In the Flanagan family, 12 members belonging to three generations have attended school in this building. For the Gutierrez children, Elm Street represents a beloved community playground where they can run and play on the same ground their mother did over 30 years ago when attending kindergarten at Elm Street School. Seeing them and their friends play brings so much joy as they make their own fond memories of the little yellow school house.

Our shared appreciation for the building and our desire for it to endure in its dedication to education in our community stand firmly at the foundation of School Administrative District 28's decision to transform the building into workforce housing for teachers.

As board members we cannot think of a better outcome — a building in need of significant repairs and upgrades can get all that it needs to make sure it lasts another 150 years without any impact to the tax rates in Camden or Rockport. This is particularly important at a time of rising costs for both taxpayers and our School District. The District is committed to fundraising for a large portion of the significant costs to restore the building, and the rents paid on the teacher housing will cover the property management costs and loan payment on funds borrowed for the project. 

While we are excited about this project we recognize that Children’s House Montessori School is struggling to find a new home. There has been much conversation in the community, at our most recent meeting, and in the local media around this issue. Unfortunately some have depicted the District’s actions as an “eviction”, which is a misrepresentation.

The School District has a long history of partnership supporting Children’s House Montessori School. Those of us who have been residents of our community for years will remember that Children’s House previously occupied a building they built in Rockport that is now a part of Camden Rockport Elementary School. The School District stepped in when Children’s House was struggling and at risk of closure, buying their building to use the property for a new elementary school, and agreeing to rent Elm Street School to them. 

Due to our shared mission around education, the School District ensured that the lease terms were favorable to the struggling non-profit and those favorable terms continue to this day, including a low lease cost and a requirement that the School District give Children’s House three years’ notice of non-continuation of their lease while they have only been required to provide 30 days’ notice if they made the decision to vacate. That lease began over 20 years ago and the current rental cost is only $2,925 per month for the entire building with Children’s House responsible for maintenance and upkeep.

Two-a-half years ago the District spoke with Children’s House leadership about a blossoming idea for transforming the Elm Street School.

Two years ago, in June 2023, the District officially notified Children’s House of the non-renewal of their lease at the end of June 2026, pursuant to the lease terms.

Last year the school board considered, discussed, and voted on the Children’s House request for a one-year extension of that end date. There was already significant momentum behind the District’s project at that point and the board declined the request. Presently, the architect has nearly finalized the design and cost estimation portion of the project and the Superintendent has been working diligently to line up donors and other sources of funding. 

It has been moving to hear from the dedicated staff and families of Children’s House. Their love for the school and what it offers to children and the community is so plainly evident. It’s disheartening to hear that they have not yet been successful in securing a location but we remain hopeful that the next 16 months and these continued community conversations will bring forth new opportunities, particularly in existing buildings as Children’s House has cited the high cost of building. 

Those costs are something the District knows all too well as we work to properly maintain our facilities. Those costs are also the very reason behind our inability to grant Children’s House any additional time at Elm Street. We know that every year we wait will increase the cost of the project by hundreds of thousands of dollars, making it even more difficult or impossible for us to raise the funds needed, or worse, require that we pass those added costs to taxpayers, something we are committed to avoid. 

While we can appreciate the frustration that Children’s House families are experiencing, we think it is important to set the record straight. The School District has shown compassion and generosity to Children’s House for over 20 years and we are not moving ahead with our project with any goal or intention to shut down their school.

The District has needs of our own at this time and extending the lease beyond the three years’ notice would come at great cost. Now the fate of the Children’s House Montessori School rests in the hands of its leadership and board. We believe that in their capable hands their school will thrive and continue to serve our community in a new location. 

And given that a community playground, open all day, will be included in the project, we look forward to building on Elm Street’s history and ensuring that future generations of our community’s children will grow up with the same fond memories of our community’s little yellow school house. 

Becky Flanagan lives in Camden and is Chair of the Camden Rockport School Board

Brieanna Gutierrez lives in Rockport and is Vice Chair of the Camden Rockport School Board