Schools
Portland School Board Responds to External Bond Auditor
Among several recommendations, the board will work to sharpen its understanding of its fiscal responsibilities, and hire an additional auditor with capital experience.
A Controversial Bond Management Contract Continues to Divide the Portland School Board
The conversation to approve the contract has had a lasting effect on the School Board’s dynamics. Since that night, its seven members have seemingly pushed on with open wounds.
Portland School Board Takes Early Step Toward a Screen Time Policy
Regulating screen time appears to be a top priority for the School Board’s seven members.
County Auditor Raises Concerns Around Preschool for All Contracting
In two recommendations, Jennifer McGuirk suggests the county strengthen its seat allocation policies and improve the program’s waitlist.
Oregon’s Students Continue to See Slow Recovery in State Assessment Outcomes
With the beginning of fall comes a now familiar tune: Oregon students continue to post outcomes on the statewide assessment that continue to fall flat from pre-pandemic outcomes
Secretary of State Refers Portland Public Schools to Department of Justice for Criminal Investigation Over Procedeo Contract
The referral letter cites potential violations of two state laws that prohibit the use of a public position for financial gain.
PPS Finds Title I Schools Underenrolled Compared to Peers
Title I schools—which have a higher share of families receiving government assistance—have struggled to sustain the enrollment thresholds that the district says are required for robust programming.
Former School Board Member Files Petition to Recall PPS Board Chair
Mike Rosen, the former board member behind the filing, says the School Board has shown “no sense of fiduciary responsibility” under Eddie Wang’s leadership.
What Will Happen to the School Buildings the District Closes?
When PPS has shuttered school properties in the past, it hasn’t taken a uniform approach to what happens next.
External Auditor Finds PPS Bond Program Is at Heightened Risk of Fraud
In four findings, auditors determined that PPS had failed to establish a sound business case to offload bond management services to Procedeo, and cautioned that the district had become over-reliant on the external consultant.
PPS Teachers Levy Funded 55 Fewer Educators in Latest Academic Year
Declining revenue and rising personnel costs mean the levy, a significant part of the district’s general fund, will support fewer teachers in coming years.
To Close Schools, Portland Public Schools Must Overcome Fierce Pushback From the Teachers Union
The district has largely retained its educators even as enrollment has fallen and is projected to continue falling for the foreseeable future.











