Standish school playground among five MSAD 6 replacements planned

Edna Libby Elementary School in Standish is among five MSAD 6 elementary schools whose playground equipment is being removed after a district inspection found safety problems officials said could not be repaired.

The playgrounds have been closed since late spring, and removal work is taking place during summer 2026. For Standish families, that means Edna Libby’s playground will remain unavailable while the district develops replacement plans.

What the inspection found

MSAD 6 said the inspection followed certification of the district’s safety coordinator. Reported problems included broken equipment and exposed rusted metal. District officials determined that the affected equipment was not suitable for repair and began closing and removing it rather than keeping it in use.

The action affects five of the district’s six elementary schools. It does not mean that every MSAD 6 school or every school in Standish is affected; Edna Libby is the specific Standish school connection identified in the district’s plans.

Replacement is expected during the 2026-27 school year

MSAD 6 expects to develop new ADA-compliant playgrounds during the 2026-27 school year. The district has estimated the cost at about $50,000 per playground. Applied to five sites, that produces a preliminary estimate of roughly $250,000 before design changes, site work, or other additional costs.

The estimate is not an adopted contract price. The district has not finalized the funding plan, construction schedule, or order in which schools will receive replacement equipment.

District is pursuing several funding options

MSAD 6 plans to pursue community-development grants, vendor partnerships, and fundraising to help pay for the replacements. Those efforts could affect when each playground is installed and when students regain access.

For Standish families, the main unanswered questions are the installation date at Edna Libby, the final project cost, the school-by-school sequence, and the reopening date. District communications will be the place to watch for fundraising requests, funding decisions, and updates on the replacement schedule.

Sources

• Portland Press Herald report on the playground closures and replacements
• MSAD 6 superintendent message
• Edna Libby Elementary School official page