Failing the sniff test.

Jim Scherzinger isn't built like a running back, but on Monday night, he demonstrated a reversal that could have won him a starting spot at Jesuit High.

The interim Portland Public Schools chief said that he has decided to tear down Whitaker Middle School.

That's a major shift from last spring, when a story in this paper revealed that the Northeast Portland middle school was an environmental cesspool and that the district had known this for years but done nothing about it (see "The Poisoning of Whitaker," WW, May 23, 2001). Although the story by Nigel Jaquiss was reported largely from the district's own documents, top school officials were furious at the story's suggestion that the school posed health hazards. "The feeling is, in fact, the buildings are safe," district spokesman Lew Frederick told The Oregonian the day after WW's story appeared. "The toxicologists that we talked to said they feel the buildings are safe."

The Schnoz is pleased that the Scherz finally came to his senses about closing the school. But he then advanced a proposal that doesn't pass this Nose's sniff test--he pledged to build another school on the same site.

Hold on there, Jimbo. In case you forgot, this is a district that has an oversupply of real estate--as you yourself have acknowledged. This is a district that can't afford textbooks and is facing massive budget cuts. This is a district that is projected to shrink more than 10 percent in the next decade--and the neighborhoods around Whitaker will show even steeper declines. A PSU study last year forecast that Whitaker's enrollment will drop 34 percent in the next 10 years, and that each of the five elementary schools that feed it will decline by a similar proportion.

Floating the idea of a $10 million new school will play well with neighborhood residents, but it will prove to be as big a fumble as the district's initial claims that Whitaker was safe.

'TIS THE SEASON
We know: You're busy and cash is tight. What else is new? But if you crack open that wallet and clear some space on your Daytimer only once a year, pal, this is the season. There are dozens of deserving groups out there needing money and volunteers. Each year this paper picks a handful that we especially admire. Last week, the Nose gave a rundown on four of them. In the coming weeks, we'll be pestering you with weekly reminders. Consider them when you think about volunteering time or making year-end contributions.

First Octave
c/o Portland Schools Foundation,
516 SE Morrison St., Suite 1200, Portland OR 97214
234-5404
www.firstoctave.org

Once upon a time, way back in 1988, public schools had things like music programs and art classes. Today, in many cases, they're gone. In other schools, they exist only because parents and others have raised the needed cash. One of the best examples is the First Octave Fund, which supports music programs at Portland Public Schools. Send your donation to First Octave in care of the Portland Schools Foundation. If cash is short, you can call to volunteer as a ticket taker for the benefit concerts First Octave puts on each year.

Next Week: Community Cycling Center

WWeek 2015