Residents of South Portland, Maine met at city hall on Monday to discuss whether they were for or against a bond proposal that would go towards renovating the current high school. Residents seemed to agree that renovations need to occur at the aging South Portland High School building, reports WCSH6. They disagreed, however, on how much should be spent.

The $44.2 million bond proposal is much smaller than the proposed amount rejected several years ago. Yet despite the new proposal, residents continue to worry about the tax increase that would occur, if the bond were to pass. The tax increase would cost residents, on average, twelve dollars a month for twenty years.

Despite such concerns, residents at Monday night’s meeting seem to believe a tax increase would be money well spent.

The current state of South Portland High School is poor. The high school is in violation of federal access requirements for people with disabilities, and is contaminated with asbestos and mold.

If the bond proposal were approved, the asbestos and mold would be mitigated. Asbestos is a highly toxic material, once exploited for its fire retardant properties. When disturbed, the material can pose a serious health risk to those exposed. Extended exposure to the material has even been known to cause mesothelioma–a rare and aggressive asbestos-related disease.

Once diagnosed with the asbestos cancer, patients must undergo painful clinical therapies. Such mesothelioma treatment most often involves chemotherapy, radiation or even surgery.

A second reading of the proposal, and a final vote, will take place on September 8th.

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