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Three Portland schools awarded LEED silver certification

An intervior view has a staircase under construction Photo / Courtesy Harriman Associates Reiche Elementary School was the latest elementary school in Portland to attain LEED silver certification.
By Laurie Schreiber

Three schools in Portland attained Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, silver certification, a green building rating that signifies lower energy costs, improved air quality and healthier learning environments.

Reiche Elementary School was the latest of three renovated elementary schools to attain the certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Presumpscot and Longfellow schools were awarded the certification last year. 

People gather in a hallway.
Photo / Courtesy Harriman Associates
Materials inclued low levels of volatile organic compounds, water-saving plumbing fixtures and HVAC systems meeting or exceeding energy standards.

Renovations on the three schools were completed last year.

Auburn architecture firm Harriman Associates provided the designs.

City voters in 2017 approved a $64 million “Buildings for Our Future” bond for 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.

Scaffolding and a man on a ladder are inside a room.
Photo / Courtesy Harriman Associates
Portland Public Schools’ LEED-certified buildings were designed with the health of students and staff in mind.

“Portland Public Schools’ LEED-certified buildings were designed with the health of students and staff in mind,” said Tammara Sweeney, director of facilities planning, management and maintenance services. “We use materials with low levels of volatile organic compounds to improve indoor air quality, install water-saving plumbing fixtures and ensure HVAC systems meet or exceed energy standards — achieving energy costs at least 5% below baseline.”

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

The Portland Public Schools is Maine’s largest school district, with nearly 6,500 students.

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