Benson Polytechnic High School
Alan Sylvestre / OPB
Rebuilding three Portland high schools would cost more than $600 million, according to early estimates out this week.
Portland Public Schools may seek voter support for a construction bond this fall, with part of the plan to rebuild three high schools.
Replacing Madison High in Northeast Portland would cost more than $150 million. The new eight-story Lincoln High would clear $200 million. And rebuilding Benson High would hit $250 million, according to preliminary figures based on master plans that architects developed with community members.
School board member Amy Kohnstamm said the district will look for savings — on Benson High, for instance.
“We need to look more closely at the specifications for modernization for Benson and really see what the size should be, what the costs should be,” Kohnstamm said.
Kohnstamm said bond dollars would also have to go toward seismic upgrades and to expanding capacity to relieve overcrowding.
Portland Public taxpayers are already paying for a school bond approved in 2012.