PORTLAND — There are several cost-saving measures under consideration by a special commission created by the School Board to examine efficiency in the city’s schools. Among them are consolidation of the two public high schools and reconfiguring high school and middle school grade groups, along with creating a new expeditionary learning school for kindergarten through grade […]
Portland Forecaster
City-wide news from The Forecaster.
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Scarf Mob rule in Portland: ‘If you need me, I’m yours to keep you warm’
PORTLAND — For the fifth year in a row, a group of local women spent a late-January Sunday making Deering Oaks Park a little more hospitable to those in need of warm clothing. They decorated fences, benches and playground equipment with free winter gear, from warm hats and gloves, to scarves and socks. The group, which […]
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Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland council committee endorses $21M capital spending plan
PORTLAND — A $21 million capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2020 is headed to the full City Council for review and a vote next month. The plan was unanimously endorsed by the council Finance Committee Jan. 24, although it faces a potential amendment regarding spending on bicycling infrastructure on city streets. The plan would borrow […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Specialized options rise in Portland's search for shelter site
PORTLAND — It may be March before the public can weigh in on where the city puts a new shelter and service center for the homeless. But as members of the City Council Health & Humans Services and Public Safety committees winnow down a list of 14 potential locations presented by city staff, details about potential partnerships […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland schools offering text alerts
PORTLAND — The Portland Public Schools is now offering text message alerts for snow days or other important information through the SchoolMessenger service. The School Department is sending out texts offering the service to the cell phone numbers it has on record, but recipients must actively opt in. The verification message will come from code […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Schools gets state grant for professional development
AUGUSTA — The 10 school districts of the Greater Sebago Education Alliance have received a grant from the Maine Department of Education to support a regional professional training effort. The goal of the Maine Center for Leadership and Innovation is to create opportunities for “a high-quality, research-based system of professional learning experiences and support for school- […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland seeks bids to extend Thames Street along eastern waterfront
PORTLAND — Bids for an estimated $2.35 million project to extend Thames Street and create stormwater drainage are scheduled to be opened Feb. 7. The project along the city’s eastern waterfront continues the redevelopment of the area, by extending Thames Street 350 feet past its present terminus so it can be linked to an access road […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Tyler Technologies to conduct Portland revaluation
PORTLAND — A revaluation of city properties that begins next month will be conducted by Tyler Technologies CLT Appraisal Services. City spokeswoman Jessica Grondin announced the firm was selected in a Jan. 22 news release. Tyler, which is based in Plano, Texas, and has offices in Yarmouth, also conducted the last full revaluation of city […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Search begins for Portland police chief
PORTLAND — A nationwide search for a new police chief will begin this week, city spokeswoman Jessica Grondin said. Local and nationally placed job listings will be posted Friday, Feb. 1, with a March 8 deadline to apply. City Manager Jon Jennings hopes to make an appointment in late spring or early summer, Grondin said in a Jan. […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
RTP to move HQ from Portland to Westbrook
PORTLAND — The Regional Transportation Program plans to build new headquarters on 5.5 acres in Westbrook. Representatives of RTP, which provides rides for low-income, elderly and disabled residents in most of Cumberland County, went before the Westbrook Planning Board last week with their preliminary proposal. Based for 35 years at Greater Portland Metro at St. […]