POLAND — The Board of Selectmen learned Tuesday night the $5.7 million bonding process is underway to fund the renovation of the Bruce M. Whittier Middle School section of Poland Regional High School.

Ken Healey, superintendent of Regional School Unit 16, which includes Poland, Mechanic Falls and Minot, said construction is scheduled to begin in the spring.

The first payment on the bond, about $441,000, will be due in the fall, according to Healey.

Poland’s share, Healey said, will be about $284,000, or 64.6 percent.

Healey said the school district’s legal advisers said it is in the district’s best interests to make the first payment in the fall. Healey added the district would save $189,000 in interest over the term of the loan if the fall payment were made.

Healey and Mary Martin, chairwoman of the RSU 16 board, appeared before selectmen Tuesday night to explain this year’s budget schedule.

The school district’s budget committee is scheduled to meet with school administrators in a daylong session Feb. 26 at the Poland Fire Station. After that, an informational meeting for the public is scheduled for March 26 at Elm Street School in Mechanic Falls.

The RSU 16 board is scheduled to vote on the budget April 24 at the high school. The referendum will go before voters May 14.