BELFAST — Campaign co-chairs Sarah Tomalty and Eric Kormann announced a major naming gift to Journey Home, The Campaign for Cornerspring Montessori School. Ann Bixler, of Northport, has contributed $418,000 to the campaign for the new school to be constructed at 258 Lower Congress Street, in Belfast. The school entrance and a garden will be named in her honor.

The major gift has doubled the amount Journey Home has raised to date, according to campaign co-chairperson Sarah Tomalty, of Brooks.

"I have known Ann for years and she is simply a phenomenal person She is a true giver in so many remarkable ways. We are honored and profoundly grateful she has chosen to support our community with her generous gift," said Tomalty in a news release.

"Ann's generous support of the Journey Home campaign has generated a palpable level of excitement and momentum as we work to secure the remaining funding for the new school. We are overjoyed to have earned the confidence and support of Ann and so many additional donors for this project," Tomalty added.

The capital campaign has raised $811,158 to date in contributions, pledges, and in-kind gifts from individuals, local businesses and foundations. Cornerspring is raising funds to build the first passive house Montessori school in Maine. In all, 150 contributions have been received.

"Our family has always focused farther down the coast for our philanthropy, although we have lived in the Belfast area for more than 30 years," Bixler explained.

"I thought it was time we gave to a good cause closer to home, and the Cornerspring Montessori School is such a worthy recipient of this gift. I love the parent participation, the focus on sustainability this new building will have, and the dedication to giving children an education that incorporates social consciousness. I am so happy to support the new school with this gift to the Journey Home campaign!" said Bixler.

While the goal of Phase 1 of the campaign is to secure the funds to begin construction of the new school, the Phase 2 goal includes plans to increase the tuition assistance fund by $200,000 and to establish a $150,000 capital reserve fund. Combined with the construction and campaign costs, the overall campaign goal is $2 million.

"This generous gift to Journey Home, along with all of the other gifts we've received, allows us to begin site work for the new school this September," said Cornerspring Montessori board President Josh Birocco, of Belfast.

"Contributions raised to date move us closer to our Phase One goal of funding the new school construction. Everyone involved in this project has worked with tremendous commitment to building the first Passive House Montessori school in Maine, and we are all thrilled to be planning for construction this year," Birocco said.

A groundbreaking event will be held in the summer. School officials state there will be no programming disruptions as the new school is under construction. Cornerspring's 2016 Summer Day Camp for 3-6-year olds and 6-12-year olds, as well as the 2016-17 school year, will be held at its current location, 18 Hatley Road on the Athena Health campus. Officials plan a smooth transition with school opening for the 2017 year in the new building on Lower Congress Street.

In addition to raising funds to construct the new school, the $2 million campaign includes plans to increase the tuition assistance fund by $200,000 and to establish a capital reserve fund.

"By increasing our tuition assistance fund, Cornerspring Montessori will be able to offer families more financial aid and increase the economic diversity of the student body," according to board treasurer Scott Kelley.

Since 2001, more than 600 children have experienced Cornerspring Montessori programs. Families recognize Cornerspring Montessori as a high-quality alternative and an educational asset in the region.

The new Cornerspring Montessori School was designed by GO Logic, a Belfast architecture and construction firm. It will be the first Montessori school in Maine to target Passive House certification.

The new school will be built to the highest standards of sustainability. According to Matt O'Malia, GO Logic Partner, and a leader in Passive House design in the U.S., under the Passive House standard, which relies on a highly insulated building shell and heat recovery ventilation, a building uses 90 percent less energy than traditional construction.

The result is a major reduction in fossil fuel use, significantly improved indoor air quality, and exceptional occupant comfort within the 6,100 square foot school to be located at 258 Lower Congress Street in Belfast.

In today's economy this will translate to a savings of more than $8,000 on annual heating costs and more than 4,000 gallons of fossil fuels not burned. In the future, solar panels on site could generate all heat energy needs helping to attain goals of no heating costs and less environmental impact.

"We are very pleased to see the construction of the Cornerspring Montessori School move forward," O'Malia said, "as this project represents years of hard work and careful planning by the school, the families and the board. When complete, the new school will be a unique and wonderful educational environment for the families of Cornerspring as well as the greater community. It is rewarding to see that the ambitious goals set for the quality and sustainability of the project will be realized, resulting in a school that will become a model for new buildings in the future," O'Malia added.

Cornerspring Montessori School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serving 62 preschool, kindergarten and elementary students. Founded in 2001, Cornerspring is one of 34 Montessori schools in the state. More than 600 children have experienced Cornerspring programs since 2001. For more information on Cornerspring Montessori or to give securely online visit the Journey Home page at www.cornerspringmontessori.com. Or mail a check made out to Cornerspring Montessori School to: Journey Home, P O Box 67, Belfast, ME 04915-0067. Follow the journey on Facebook: Journey Home — The Campaign for Cornerspring Montessori.