Newly renovated Reiche Elementary School has recently received notice it has attained LEED Silver Certification.  LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence in green building.  Developed by the US Green Building Council, LEED certification ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions and healthier environments for a wide variety of buildings, including schools.

Two other newly renovated Portland Public Schools elementary schools also have received LEED silver certification — Presumpscot in November 2024 and Longfellow in July 2024.  Renovations on all three schools — Reiche, Presumpscot and Longfellow — were completed last year.

City voters in 2017 approved a $64 million Buildings for Our Future bond for the renovations to Lyseth, Presumpscot, Longfellow and Reiche elementary schools.  Renovations at Lyseth Elementary School, which were completed in 2021, also were designed to meet LEED standards.

“The Portland Public Schools is proud to receive LEED recognition for our work to meet sustainable green building standards,” said Superintendent Ryan Scallon.  “This Buildings for our Future initiative dovetails with all five of the priorities of our Strategic Plan.  The renovations provide our students and teachers with access to beautiful and improved spaces that facilitate teaching and learning and building strong, safe school communities — all foundational to our Achievement, Equity and Whole Student goals.  Also, they align with our Systems goal by creating more energy-efficient and healthier learning enrivonments that benefit not only students but also our People – PPS teachers and other staff.”

The district plans to install LEED plaques at Reiche, Presumpscot and Longfellow in the near future.