01.23.26 - Community Newsletter
Almost every student who passes through the Brunswick School Department will ride on a bus to school and back home, to athletic games or club activities, or to a class field trip. Keeping students safe and buses running smoothly requires the hard work of many – from our office personnel to drivers and mechanics.
Our mechanics do a tremendous job maintaining our fleet of 47 vehicles, including buses, vans, and other types of vehicles, despite working in an outdated maintenance garage. That’s something we want to fix, and we have begun the permitting and planning process to replace the existing facility with a new, modern building.
First, our current garage, located behind Coffin School, is simply too small. Today’s longer school buses barely fit inside the building, and the garage door must remain open to lift the front hood, which makes for difficult, cold work in January.
We’ve outgrown the building in other ways, especially with our storage needs. Looking around, you’ll see parts, supplies, and tools scattered throughout the building because there is simply no place to put them.
The current site lacks a lift, so the crew relies on what mechanics call “creepers” – basically a piece of plywood with wheels – to access and work on the underside of a bus. This increases the potential for injury.
In addition, the ventilation system is old, the heating system needs to be replaced, and the drainage is poor. In warm weather, increased humidity causes condensation that leads to wet, slippery floors, and water often drips from overhead pipes onto diagnostic tools, parts, and equipment.
All these issues mean work takes longer, whether it's a routine oil change or engine repair. “It’s very cramped in here,” says Transportation Director Michelle Caron. “It’s not efficient.”
Our plan calls for a new 6,600 square-foot building next to the existing facility, which will be repurposed for fleet and staff parking. The new structure will include two storage rooms, a staff training area, and laundry storage.
In addition to a 38-by-62-foot work area, the new building will include a wash bay to keep our fleet clean and free of road salt through weekly washes. Currently, we wash vehicles outside only when the temperature is above freezing. “We need to keep and protect our investment – and to keep rust at bay,” says Michelle.
Another challenge we face is the location of our garage which is located behind Coffin School near Mere Brook. As a proud member of the Brunswick community, we take environmental stewardship seriously and are working closely with an environmental engineer to address impacts associated with the construction of a new bus garage. The project includes relocating the bus garage away from Mere Brook and placing it a significant distance from the brook. We are also adding retention ponds, ensuring all wastewater is connected to the town's wastewater management system, and reforesting near and around Mere Brook. Creating not only an environmentally supportive buffer for the brook but also for our neighbors.
Whether performing repairs or routine maintenance, a modern bus garage ensures all vehicles in our fleet operate at peak performance, providing students with a clean, safe ride.
PreK Information Night is being held on Tuesday, February 3rd from 6:00-7:00 PM at Kate Furbish Elementary School located at 75 Jordan Avenue. Eligible children must be 4 years old on or before 10/15/26. Please use this QR code to learn more information about the PreK Programming at the Brunswick School Department.
New Episode Alert on the BrunswickBuzz!
In this episode, Phil sits down with Shawn Lambert, Assistant Superintendent, and Elizabeth Sokoloff, School Board Vice-Chair, to discuss the Brunswick School Department.
Tune in to hear about:
Brunswick Cares — how it helps students participate in school-sponsored activities through financial support and the positive impact it has on our students and community.
Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at the essential work supporting Brunswick Schools!
Listen now on the BrunswickBuzz — sharing the voices and stories that make our schools extraordinary!
You can view the video On Demand here:
https://tv3hd.brunswickme.org/internetchannel/show/6426?site=1
Or view it on the Brunswick YouTube channel here:
Matt Repucci
Director of Instrumental Music
BJHS
Matt grew up in Topsfield, MA attended Masconoment Regional High School and graduated from Universities of Connecticut and Massachuetts. His family members are Scott, Linda, Tim, Marie, Jackson, and Mallory.
What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud
I'm proud to join the performing arts team in Brunswick.
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I play the trumpet.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Bud Herseth - former Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony
Open Employment Positions:
- Director of Facilities Management - District
- Accounts Payable Coordinator - District
- Coaching Positions have been posted! Brunswick High and Brunswick Jr. High School
- Softball, Baseball, Tennis, Lacrosse, Track, - Check them all out!
- Substitute Nurses, Teachers, Ed Techs, Tutors
- Resource Educational Technician - Brunswick Jr High School
- Self Contained Behavior Educational Technician - Harriet Beecher Stowe School
- Long Term Sub Educational Technician - Brunswick Jr High School
- School Bus Drivers!!
- Apprentice/Ed Tech I & Bus Aides
- Substitute Bus Drivers, Van Drivers, & Custodians
- ...And MORE!
We're hiring for multiple positions. Visit our website to view
all current employment opportunities!
You can view previous newsletters on our website!
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