DTC Statement on School Referendum

On May 11, Portland voters will decide whether to approve a long-overdue investment in our elementary schools. The Portland Democratic Town Committee has voted unanimously to support this proposal and strongly encourages our Portland neighbors to join us in voting YES.

For more than 30 years, our community has not made significant capital improvements to these buildings. The result is aging facilities that no longer meet the needs of today’s students or reflect the standards our community expects. Attempting to address these challenges through piecemeal repairs is not only inefficient, but would be disruptive to student learning, risk costly building system failures, and ultimately cost taxpayers more.

This proposal includes the renovation and expansion of Valley View into a PreK–2 school, renovation of Gildersleeve into a grades 3–5 school, relocation of 6th grade to the Middle School to better utilize available space, and critical HVAC and roof improvements at our secondary schools. At the conclusion of construction, Brownstone Intermediate School would be turned over to the town for future use.

This plan is the result of over five years of careful study, public input, and evaluation by multiple committees. It is a thoughtful, well-developed approach that maintains the small elementary school experience our community values, improves educational environments, and makes better use of existing space across the district.

Importantly, this project has earned broad bipartisan support. The Democratic Town Committee is joining the Board of Education, Board of Selectmen, and Republican Town Committee in unanimously endorsing it. That level of agreement reflects both the strength of the proposal and the urgency of the need.

Financially, this is a responsible investment. By approving the project now, Portland will secure approximately $66.5 million in state reimbursement, funding that may not be available in future years. This significantly reduces the burden on local taxpayers and makes this the most cost-effective path forward. 

This is a rare opportunity to invest wisely in our schools, our students, and our community’s future.

We urge Portland residents to vote YES on May 11. The polls will be open at Portland Middle School from 6am-8pm. Absentee ballots are available through the Town Clerk’s office.

Sincerely,

Portland Democratic Town Committee