School Committee Honors Environmentalist
The Portland School Committee at its May 7th meeting recognized Alfred Padula of Portland for his contributions to the Portland Public Schools as an “an environmentalist, a catalyst, a change agent and an unsung hero.”
School Committee Chair John Coyne read a proclamation citing Padula’s financial contributions to several school projects to encourage energy conservation. They include:
· $35,000 donated for the installation of solar panels at the East End Community School.
· $25,000 for energy upgrades at Portland High School.
· $15,000 for the geodesic dome at Lincoln Middle School.
· $20,000 for LEED certification of the new Ocean Avenue Elementary School.
Coyne noted that Padula has given his time to work with Lincoln students on sustainability projects, and he has donated equipment and books to the middle school.
Padula retired in 1999 from his position as a Latin American studies professor at the University of Southern Maine. Since then, he has devoted much of his time, energy and resources to encouraging energy conservation.
