Portland Public Schools Bond Likely to Address Lead Problems

PPS planned to fix up Madison, Lincoln and Benson high schools with a bond proposal this fall.

By Rachel Monahan

After the discovery of widespread problems with lead in drinking water, the next Portland Public Schools bond is likely to include fixes to address that as well as lead paint, asbestos and radon.

"With the health and safety of our students, teachers, and staff as our top priority, it seems increasingly clear that any potential bond measure the board considers for referral to the November ballot must first address these core issues," wrote Portland School Board Vice Chairwoman Amy Kohnstamm in an email to fellow board members Friday.

Kohnstamm chairs the School Board's bond committee.

Previous plans for the bond included overhauling Benson, Lincoln and Madison high schools, although cost estimates for that exceed what voters are willing to approve, according to polls. Kohnstamm writes in her letter Friday that the board will weigh how to make needed safety improvements—and modernize the three high schools.

The full letter from Kohnstamm is below:

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