Buildings For Our Future
“Buildings For Our Future” (BFOF), an initiative to renovate four aging Portland elementary schools, officially concluded in September 2024 with community celebrations at the most recently completed schools.
City voters in 2017 approved a $64 million Buildings for Our Future bond for renovations to Lyseth, Presumpscot, Longfellow and Reiche elementary schools. The renovations were targeted to address 21st century learning values, safety and security, and provide greater equity in Portland’s schools.BFOF projects were shepherded by a District Advisory Building Committee (DABC), as well as individual Building Level Advisory Committees (BLAC) for each school. Harriman, a local architectural, engineering, and planning firm, designed the renovation projects at each school.
The renovations to Lyseth were completed in 2021 and a community celebration was held then. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies at Presumpscot, Longfellow and Reiche schools took place on Sept. 21, 2024. Attendees were able to tour the beautiful new and improved learning environments that were made possible through the support of Portland voters and school and city leaders.
“We can all be proud of what our community has created through this Buildings for our Future initiative,” Superintendent Ryan Scallon said. “These buildings provide our students with the 21st century learning environments they deserve and need to succeed. Students and teachers have access to beautiful and improved learning spaces that are essential to facilitating teaching and learning and to building strong, safe school communities – all of which are foundational to the equity, achievement and whole student goals of our new Strategic Plan.”
The Sept. 21, 2024 Buildings for our Future ceremonies were recorded and can be viewed on YouTube: