As two of the oldest schools in the district (over 80 years old) these schools are deteriorating, have plumbing embedded in concrete, and crucially, foundations that cannot be seismically upgraded. They are one bad winter storm from closure like we saw last year at Markham Elementary in Portland. Replacements would be less costly than major repairs, and critically, these new buildings would be strengthened to Level 4 seismic standards which would save student and staff lives and provide a community shelter in case of a major earthquake.
