Building Momentum to a Spring Referendum
Referendum Date: May 11, 2026
Important: Pursuant to Town of Portland Charter, Section 412, this referendum (also defined by the Charter as a special election) “shall be approved if a majority of those voting thereon shall have voted in the affirmative; provided, however, that in the case of a special election, no such approval shall be effective unless twenty percent (20%) of the electors qualified to vote shall have voted on such matter.” Therefore, whether the majority vote is affirmative or negative, the referendum is not valid unless at least 20% of registered voters participate. This means that at least 1,362 of Portland’s 6,807 registered voters must turn out to vote. Please note: These are not the final numbers, just based on the total voters as of 4/9/2026. The exact numbers will be determined the day of the vote. For information about registering to vote, including absentee ballot information, please visit the Portland Town Clerk’s website at https://www.portlandct.org/town-clerk or email the Portland Town Clerk, Michael Tierney, at mtierney@portlandct.org.
Budget Referendum & School Referendum Voting The Budget Referendum and School Referendum will be held on Monday May 11th 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 11th in order to be counted. Portland residents can also obtain a voter registration card at the Town Clerk’s Office.
Explanation of Project: From August 9, 2021, through January 22, 2026, three separate committees formed by the Portland Board of Selectmen and the Portland Board of Education examined the current and future facility needs of the Portland Public Schools. The research process included multiple demographic studies, the establishment of priorities, focus group feedback, reviews of existing facility conditions, examinations of historical grade-level configurations and past facility improvements, the development of potential facility options, and reviews of projected costs.
Project Summary
After nearly five years of study and discussion—including a failed bonding referendum that proposed consolidating three elementary schools into one—the Portland Board of Education and the Portland Board of Selectmen approved the following plan:
- Renovate and expand Valley View Elementary School to create a PreK–2 elementary school
- Renovate Gildersleeve Elementary School to serve grades 3–5
- Relocate sixth grade to Portland Middle School, establishing a grades 6–8 middle school
- Replace the roof and upgrade HVAC systems at Portland Middle School and Portland High School
- Decommission Brownstone Intermediate School
Bonding & Appropriation Plans
The Board of Selectmen will approve a resolution to appropriate $109,00,000 to consolidate the Town’s elementary schools from three schools to two. The proposal includes the renovation and expansion of Valley View Elementary School, the renovation of Gildersleeve Elementary School, roof replacement and mechanical system improvements at the Middle School and High School, and the decommissioning of Brownstone Intermediate School after it is used as swing space during construction. If voters approve the referendum, the Town will be authorized to issue bonds or notes not to exceed $41.9 million (including bond issuance costs), representing the Town’s share of the project cost. The Town anticipates that State of Connecticut reimbursement will offset the remaining balance. Projected project costs and anticipated State reimbursements are as follows:
- Valley View Elementary School: $47.5 million project cost with an anticipated $33.3 million State reimbursement
- Gildersleeve Elementary School: $52 million project cost with an anticipated $29.2 million State reimbursement
- Middle School & High School improvements: $8 million project cost with an anticipated $4 million State reimbursement
Polling Location
- Portland Middle School - 93 High Street
Financial Impacts
School Improvement Plan
Community Tours & Plans
School Renovation Project Podcast
Conceptual Valley View Project Schedule
Conceptual Gildersleeve Project Schedule
Brownstone Intermediate School
Constructed in 1931 with additions/renovations in 1955, 1966, and 1992. Action Plan: The Brownstone building, recognized for its architectural and historic significance and its prominent Main Street location, holds the greatest potential among district facilities for repurposing as a municipal, mixed-use, or commercial space. In the short term, Brownstone will serve as swing space for approximately five years while Valley View and Gildersleeve are renovated. During this period, the Town will develop a process to gather community input regarding Brownstone’s long-term use. Some ideas have already been explored by a land use committee, and additional possibilities include:
- Expanding the use of the building in coordination with Oak Hill
- Relocating Portland Parks and Recreation to Brownstone
- Relocating Portland Youth Services to Brownstone
Long-term uses for Brownstone will also be informed by updates to Portland’s Plan of Conservation and Development, input from the Portland Historical Society, and broader Main Street development initiatives, including the Nordic Spa project and remediation of Town-owned property along the Connecticut River.
Community Events
In the coming weeks, we will continue to share additional updates and details. We look forward to engaging our community in meaningful conversations about this important investment in our schools and our students. As part of that effort, we are hosting a series of community forums:
Questions & Answer Board
Please ask your questions on the Q&A board by clicking the button below. All questions will be responded to as promptly as possible.