Portland Public Schools’ Board Face More Pushback From Families as it Considers Possible School Closures
PORTLAND, OR – Portland Public Schools’ board continues to face strong community pushback as it laid out it’s plan to deal with a $65 million budget defect. In addition, the district is considering up to 450 layoffs to staff, including 200 teaching positions.
During the school board meeting, held at Benson High Wednesday night, one grandparent asked Portland Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong’s to work with the community, and not close up to 14 schools.
“I would like to propose a new scenario for our public schools,” Julianna James said. “Not Scenario A, not Scenario B. Instead it’s time for Scenario ‘WE’.”
Parents said the closures will decimate their neighborhoods.
“These outcomes hurt students’ ability to get a good education, put them in danger, and hurt the district’s reputation,” One parent said.
A member from the teachers’ union extended an olive branch to ensure no schools would close.
“So let’s work together to solve this financial crisis before causing harm you can’t undo,” They said. “You have an opportunity to lead this in the direction that is best for our students.”
PPS board members addressed its financial crisis, due to declining enrollment.
“We are navigating a failed funding model in Oregon,” Armstrong said. “(We are) failing at retaining families at a higher rate compared to our peers.”
Armstrong says a decision is not taken lightly.
“We have a high level of failure when it comes to accelerating our focal group students,” Armstrong said. “We’re naming that because we’re being intentional about planning forward.”
School Board member Rashelle Chase-Miller says regardless of the decision on school closures, the deficit remains a problem.
“Whether we do ‘Rightsizing’ or not, we know that because of the budget deficit, layoffs will be significant,” Chase-Miller said.
Superintendent Armstrong is expected to make her final recommendation on school closures Nov. 17.
The board has two more public listening sessions scheduled: Nov. 19 at Franklin High School and Dec. 3 at Grant High School. The final board vote will be sometime in December.