Portland Public School

School Renovation Vote - May 11th

COUNT DOWN TO VOTE

IMPORTANT NEWS: Please take a moment to read information about the school renovation plan below. We need residents to ask questions, be informed, and VOTE! A referendum will be held on Monday, May 11th, from 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM at the Portland Middle School, 93 High Street.

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The Portland Public Schools is building strong momentum toward a spring bonding referendum that, if approved,

will support the renovation of Valley View Elementary School and Gildersleeve Elementary School.

Announcement illustration about New Schools

On May 11, 2026, Portland voters will be asked to approve a bonding measure that would:

Renovate and expand Valley View Elementary School to serve students in Grades PreK–2
Renovate Gildersleeve Elementary School to serve students in Grades 3–5
Move Grade 6 to Portland Middle School, creating a Grades 6–8 middle school
Replace roofs and upgrade heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems at Portland Middle School and Portland High School
Transfer Brownstone Intermediate School to the Town for a mix of public and private uses

The links below provide access to the educational specification plans for Valley View Elementary School and Gildersleeve Elementary School, the conceptual budget estimate, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Individuals seeking additional information about the project may contact Portland Public Schools Superintendent Charles Britton at cbritton@portlandct.us, or Portland First Selectman Michael Pelton at mpelton@portlandct.org.

A referendum will be held on Monday, May 11^th, from 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM at the Portland Middle School, 93 High Street. There is no early voting for referendums.

The Portland Town Clerk’s office will begin issuing absentee ballots for the referendum on Wednesday, April 22nd. Registered voters and property owners can obtain an application in person at the office, by calling (860) 342-6743, or visiting the Town Clerk’s Page of the Town of Portland Website. Any applications or completed absentee ballots should be mailed back to the Town Clerk’s Office at: P.O. Box 71 Portland, CT 06480, brought to the Town Clerk’s Office in person, or left in the election drop box located by the rear entrance of the Town Hall. Completed absentee ballots must be received back no later than 8:00 PM on May 11^th in order to be counted. Portland residents can also obtain a voter registration card at the Town Clerk’s Office.

Valley View Specs Plan (PreK - 2) Gildersleeve Ed Specs Plan (3-5) PPS Conceptual Estimate VV & GS

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Tours & Plans

School Improvement Plan

Portland School Consolidation Timeline