PLANNING FOR
THE FUTURE

At nearly 60 years old, North Country Union High School is approaching the end of its useful life. A state report found that approximately 94 percent of the building’s lifespan has been expended, and many major building systems are original or past their expected lifespan. Addressing these issues through ongoing repairs alone is becoming increasingly difficult and costly.

North Country Union High School faces a number of facility challenges that are common in buildings constructed more than five decades ago. While routine maintenance has helped keep the school operational, many major building systems are now original to the facility or past their expected lifespan. This includes key infrastructure, such as the heating and ventilation systems, central cooling system, boiler system, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, electrical distribution infrastructure, elevators, and exterior windows. 

The building’s exterior envelope and structural components also present challenges. In the A-Wing lobby and connector corridor, glass failures occur periodically and unpredictably due to cracks developing at the window sills. Water infiltration and corrosion are contributing factors. While maintenance staff are able to replace glass when failures occur, this reactive approach does not address the underlying issues that are causing the damage. 

Like many older school facilities, NCUHS also contains building materials that require careful monitoring and long-term planning. An asbestos surveillance report conducted in February 2026 identified areas where remediation will eventually be necessary. While these materials are currently managed safely and do not present an immediate hazard, addressing them will require planning and investment in the future.

In addition to these infrastructure concerns, the building was designed for educational programs and expectations from the 1960s. As a result, the facility faces challenges related to accessibility standards, energy efficiency, technology integration, and adequate space for modern instructional programs. These limitations make it increasingly difficult to adapt the building to meet current educational needs.

While ongoing repairs help keep the building operational, they do not address the underlying challenges associated with aging infrastructure and evolving educational requirements.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were commonly used in construction materials during the 1960s and 1970s. At NCUHS, PCB contamination is associated with fire caulking used around windows and ductwork prior to 1980. Over time, contamination has spread to ventilation systems.

PCB contamination extends beyond the building itself and into surrounding soil, requiring protective measures such as rubber matting around the adjacent building’s exterior perimeter. This issue has also affected the adjacent North County Career Center (NCCC), which will also require significant remediation efforts. 

We have needed to limit the use of some educational spaces with identified and remediated PCBs. Reuse of the buildings would tie the school district to annual testing costs in perpetuity.

Yes. The North Country Career Center shares the campus and also faces facility challenges, including aging windows and doors, possible structural settlement, and aging kitchen equipment. These needs will be considered as part of the broader facility planning process.

Yes. PCB contamination is an issue affecting a number of older school buildings across Vermont. After elevated PCB levels were discovered at Burlington High School in 2020, the state began requiring testing in schools built or renovated prior to 1980. As testing has continued, more than 15 Vermont schools have been identified with elevated PCB levels in building materials or indoor air.

This statewide effort reflects the broader reality that many school facilities across Vermont are aging and will require significant investment in repairs, modernization, or replacement in the coming years.

An asbestos surveillance report conducted in February 2026 identified areas where future remediation will be necessary. While these materials do not currently present an immediate hazard, they will require attention as part of long-term facility planning.

School leaders and the Building Committee are evaluating a range of long-term options. These may include major renovations to the existing building or construction of a new facility. No final decisions have been made, and we are using a community-driven approach to finding solutions to our facility needs.

The North County Supervisory Union, in partnership with leaders at NCUHS and NCCC, is carefully evaluating long-term options and will engage the entire community in the process.

As part of this process, we have formed a Building Committee comprising staff members, parents, and community representatives. The committee is helping review facility needs and provide input on potential solutions.

The committee has identified several priority areas, including:

• Community use of the building

• Failing building systems

• Inadequate space in key areas

• Building envelope issues

• ADA accessibility compliance

• PCB contamination

As we consider next steps, school leaders and the board are exploring whether renovation or construction of a new high school would provide the most responsible long-term solution.

Community engagement will be an important part of this process. The district will share updates, provide opportunities for residents to ask questions, and gather feedback as options are developed.

Our goal is to ensure that NCUHS continues to serve students and the broader community safely, efficiently, and effectively for generations to come.

The planning process is ongoing, and the district is currently gathering information and evaluating potential options. Community input will play an important role before any major decisions are made.