FALMOUTH, Maine (AP) — The new school opening in Falmouth this fall won’t just be the state’s largest elementary school, it will also be one of the most environmentally friendly.
The Falmouth Elementary School replaces the Plummer-Motz and Lunt schools, and will have an enrollment of 877 students. The state Education Department says that makes it by far the largest elementary school in the state.
The Portland Press herald (http://bit.ly/qtt1YS ) reports that the building is designed to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. It includes a geothermal heating and cooling system, two rooftop gardens, solar hot water panels, porous pavement to reduce stormwater runoff, window systems to intensify natural light and a wood-chip boiler.
The $37.7 million project cost $8.3 million less than expected.
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