No. Under New Hampshire’s 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), existing systems and building components that are not being altered may remain as‑is and do not lose their “grandfathered” status. Only new or substantially modified spaces must comply with current IEBC standards. This approach ensures safety and compliance without requiring unnecessary upgrades to unaffected areas.

The IEBC classifies renovation work by levels, and only the areas within the defined work scope must meet current code requirements.

• Alteration Level 1

Covers minimal work such as repairs, new flooring, or replacing equipment that serves the same purpose. Walls, doors, windows, and life safety systems remain in place. Example: Painting or replacing flooring in the existing Mast Way cafeteria or Moharimet central commons.

• Alteration Level 2
  Includes adding, removing, or relocating walls, doors, or windows, and installing new equipment. These new components must meet the current code.
  Example: Converting spaces at Mast Way or Moharimet into OT/PT or Learning Centers.
• Alteration Level 3
  Applicable only when more than 50% of the building is reconfigured. Full building compliance is not automatically required.
  Example: Neither Mast Way nor Moharimet renovation scopes meet the threshold for Level 3.

Additions

New additions, such as the proposed Mast Way cafeteria expansion and new Moharimet classrooms, must meet all applicable codes for new construction, but they do not require unrelated parts of the existing building to be updated.

In December 2024, the District published a Facilities Assessment report, which included a 10-year capital plan identifying repairs and improvements related to short- and long-term needs (pp. 96-110).

Over the last year and half since the report’s publication, buildings have undergone maintenance and repairs. These expenses were included in FY25 and FY26 operating budgets, and some will be carried over into the FY27 operating budget. These expenses are excluded from the Elementary Project’s scope of work and budget.

The Elementary Project Requires Voters' Approval

Some of the work included in the Elementary Project includes deficiencies identified in the December 2024 Facilities Assessment report. Expenses related to the renovations and expansion work are not included in the operating budget. This work would be funded outside of the operating budget via a warrant article, which voters will be invited to consider on Voting Day on March 10, 2026.

The “Proposed Construction” line items in yellow in the image below are for the Elementary Project. This is the value of the scope of work identified by NOVO Studio and Eckman at Mast Way and Moharimet schools. These expenses amount to the $9.827 requested by the District, which would be authorized and paid for with the approval of warrant article 3.

Should warrant article 3 fail to pass, the deficiencies included in the Elementary Project’s scope of work will remain. Furthermore, by law, if the bond warrant fails, the district will also be unable to address the needs and deficiencies identified in the scope of work for at least one year.

Operating Budget Capital Plan Expenses

The proposed budget includes $719k in plant operations.

The details of the 2024-2027 facilities expenses can be found below. The line items in orange are not included in the Elementary Project’s scope of work and some these expenses have been included in operating budgets over the last two fiscal years. There are requests in the FY27 proposed operating budget to continue this work.

If the operating budget fails, some needs will still need to be addressed, and these costs will be reflected in future operating budgets.

Capital plan update as of January 30, 2026.

Additional Resources:

• View Director of Facilities Dave Totty’s September 17, 2025, School Board presentation related to the district’s 2025-2026 capital planning goals.
• View Director of Facilities Dave Totty’s October 16, 2025, School Board presentation. This presentation details the 2025 summer work by Facilities, including repairs, maintenance, and future needs.
• Visit your Capital Planning page.
• Visit the Elementary Project’s Frequently Asked Questions page and Planning History page, which includes School Board presentations by NOVO Studio and Eckman Engineering.

The guaranteed maximum price (GMP) is $9,827,000, which cannot be exceeded. This firm cap protects taxpayers from cost overruns while addressing critical space needs at both schools.

Visit our Financial Information page for additional details.

The ORCSD School Board is considering financing this investment using a 10-year bond. The estimated cost for taxpayers for each $1,000 of property assessment based on a 3.44% interest rate is:

* Year 2 is projected to be more expensive as it is the first year of paying principal.

The full 10-year bond estimated schedule is available in the document below for the District, Town of Durham, Town of Lee, and Town of Madbury.

Visit our Financial Information page for additional details.

Students receive instruction and services in inadequate and dysfunctional spaces. Moharimet lacks general classroom space and Art has been displaced to a shared space without sinks or access to the kiln. At both schools, children needing extra support receive help in hallways or shared spaces where noise and distractions make it hard to focus. Students’ needs and instructional requirements have evolved over time and both schools need proper learning environments where the needs of all students are met, and educators can adequately deliver all required services.

The design process began with critical input from teachers, educators, and administrators to understand how students learn and how spaces are utilized. Both single-story updates are carefully integrated into existing buildings to minimize costs, and support student services.

Additional information is available on our Planning History page.

The project includes a 20-foot expansion of the Mast Way School cafeteria, which is currently at capacity. This expansion would also resolve logistical and acoustical issues. The library and North Commons would be combined to allow for collaborative learning and programming efficiencies. Students needing support services will have quiet, private rooms designed for focus. Math and Science would move back to a dedicated classroom.

The addition of four classrooms and renovation of two other classrooms will be integrated into the existing building, allowing art to return to a proper classroom with sink and kiln access. The project creates a new Tutor Center, redesigned Central and East Commons spaces, and dedicated rooms for speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and English language support.

Space limitations mean we cannot currently guarantee that all families can attend their historical boundary school. This project ensures students can attend their neighborhood school while receiving consistent, high-quality and equitable programming at both elementary schools.

Students will receive specialized support in quiet, private rooms designed specifically for their learning, not in hallways or corners where distractions interfere. Whether it's occupational therapy, speech therapy, or a calm space to regulate emotions, proper environments help students concentrate better and make greater progress.

The project will be presented to voters at the March 10, 2026, town meetings in Durham, Lee, and Madbury. We encourage all residents to review the detailed information available on our website, attend upcoming school tours and listening sessions, and participate in the democratic process by voting.

Inflation in labor, materials, and borrowing rates means delays will increase costs significantly. If approved in March 2026, construction will be complete for the 2027-2028 school year, allowing students to benefit as soon as possible.

Complete project details, including floor plans, renderings, and presentations, are available on our Elementary Project webpage. You can watch School Board meetings and presentations on our YouTube channel, review the planning history, review financial information, and access the detailed scope of work for each school (Mast Way  |  Moharimet).