Portland schools face $65 million gap, 14 potential closures

Portland Public Schools officials proposed closing 14 schools and cutting up to 450 full-time positions on Wednesday. The district faces a $65 million deficit that has driven the search for cost-saving measures.

Parents and students filled the gymnasium at Benson High School to voice their objections. Many argued that the current plan relies on subtraction rather than growth. Eriq Wities, a parent of a PPS student, told the board that families want an additive process that grows enrollment. She stated that parents do not want closures, larger classes, or fewer teachers.

A community member speaking at the meeting criticized the district for lacking a concrete plan. They noted that officials had not defined transportation routes or class sizes. The speaker argued that evidence from other cities over the last 20 years shows closures lead to lower enrollment and worse student outcomes.

PPS conducted a survey of more than 3,200 community members between October 6 and October 28. The district said the goal was to provide transparency and listen to community demands. However, many attendees felt the district needed to slow down the timeline before making final decisions.

Speakers emphasized the value of neighborhood schools. One attendee cited studies showing that proximity to school and community trust improve attendance rates. They argued that students perform better when they live near trusted adults and peers at their local campus.

Parents plan to rally again on November 14 to pressure the district. The group hopes this second push will convince officials to keep all schools open. The board is scheduled to take a deciding vote on the matter in December.

Another speaker expressed concern about how rapid changes might impact students. They asked the board to investigate these concerns thoroughly before casting their final votes on the restructuring plan.