By David Harry

Staff Writer

Some Willard Square-area students will attend classes in a new portable classroom this fall. 

Councilors in two unanimous votes Monday approved the purchase of a $65,000 two-room portable for Dora L. Small School in South Portland.

School Superintendent Suzanne Godin said increased kindergarten enrollments at Small School are projected for the next three years and requires additional classroom space. 

Godin said city school board members also considered shifting classes to other schools and revising school assignments for elementary school students to accommodate increasing enrollments.

Oxford-based Schiavi Leasing was the only company to submit a bid for the project, City Manager James Gailey said.

Bid specifications call for a building at least 28 feet by 52 feet. The planning board must approve placement of the portable on school grounds. City Planning Director Tex Haeuser said the planning board is expected to consider the application at next Tuesday’s meeting.

Godin told councilors the school board recommended buying the portable instead of leasing it because it can also be used for classroom space during the South Portland High School expansion and renovation. Godin estimated it would cost at least $8,000 to move the building from the elementary to the high school.