Debate Over School Plans

Press Herald:

"The report suggests starting a mandatory pre-kindergarten program, expanding the day treatment program at the former West School and moving Casco Bay High School into Portland High School, among other things.

A public pre-kindergarten program is unnecessary and would be too expensive; recent studies found the West School to be structurally unsuitable for major renovations; and other efforts to move Casco Bay High School into Portland High School were met with great resistance, residents said during a public hearing in the Deering High School library.

Residents noted that the draft report contains contradictory and questionable school enrollment and city population information, as well as a lack of specific recommendations or cost estimates."