Portland Public Schools has appointed Kimberlee Armstrong, the former chief academic officer and current deputy superintendent of Evergreen Public Schools, as its new superintendent after a six-month national search. Armstrong will be the first Black woman to lead Oregon's largest school district, with a focus on improving reading and math achievement for Black and Indigenous students.
Portland Public Schools is anticipating $30 million in budget cuts for the 2024-25 school year, with 50% coming from reductions in central operations and the remaining 50% from school-based budgets. Outgoing Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero stated that the impact on students and educators is unavoidable, and some schools may see an increase in teacher-to-student ratios. The Portland Association of Teachers expressed concerns about the district's spending priorities and urged the district to prioritize classroom resources over administrative expenses. Interim Superintendent Sandy Husk will oversee the budget process, with a budget update scheduled for the Community Budget Review Committee meeting.
Portland Public Schools decided to close for a fourth day due to impaired bus routes and dangerous conditions, while Beaverton School District announced plans to open with the possibility of changing their minds Friday morning. Other Oregon school districts, including Multnomah and Washington counties, also made different decisions for their Friday plans in response to ongoing cold weather and the possibility of further precipitation.
Due to icy road conditions and freezing rain, Portland Public Schools and several other local districts in the Portland metro area will be closed on Friday or have late starts. The decision is subject to change depending on the weather.
Portland Public Schools and several other school districts in the Portland, Oregon area have canceled classes on Friday due to lingering ice from the recent winter storm, while others have announced two-hour delays.
Several local school districts, including Portland Public Schools and Beaverton School District, have announced closures for Thursday due to ongoing winter weather issues such as burst pipes and downed trees. Other area schools and institutions, such as Portland Community College and Pacific University, will also be closed or have classes conducted online. Additional district closures in the area are expected to be updated.
Due to freezing rain and forecasts of icy conditions, several metro-area school districts in Oregon, including Portland Public Schools, Beaverton, Hillsboro, and others, will remain closed on Wednesday. The closures are attributed to potential power outages, tree damage, and dangerous road conditions. Some schools have experienced burst pipes, frozen waterlines, and power outages, while others are being inspected for safety. Despite a thaw in temperatures, wind chills may delay the reopening of schools, and maintenance crews are working to address damages caused by the storm.
Several school districts in Oregon and Washington, including Portland Public Schools, are implementing early dismissals in anticipation of an incoming winter storm bringing potential snow and ice accumulation and dangerous wind chill. Plows are on standby, and officials are urging people to stay home as the storm approaches. The decision to release students early is a precautionary measure to ensure their safety, with memories of last year's February storm prompting districts to err on the side of caution. ODOT advises people to stay off the roads to allow plows to clear them effectively.
Approximately 20% of students in Portland Public Schools, or about 9,000 students, were absent on the first day of a make-up week that was originally scheduled as winter break but repurposed to make up for lost school days due to a teacher strike. The district expects both student and educator absences to increase throughout the week, potentially straining the school system. While some schools faced challenges finding enough substitute teachers, no buildings were closed and significant disruptions were avoided. The make-up week is particularly important for high school students who need to accumulate credits and prepare for pre-college tests.
After a teacher strike in Portland Public Schools, students returned to school with a mix of excitement and apprehension. In one third-grade classroom at Woodlawn Elementary, students eagerly resumed their lessons on sea creatures, while their teacher listened in on their conversations.
After a month-long strike, Portland Public Schools and teachers have reached an agreement, allowing students to return to classes on Monday. The deal includes additional school days and increased planning time for teachers, as well as pay increases. The agreement will be voted on by teachers and the PPS board on Tuesday.
Portland Public Schools in Oregon have reached a tentative agreement with the teachers union, ending a strike that lasted over three weeks. Students will return to classes on Monday with a two-hour delay, pending the approval of the agreement by teachers and the school board. The deal addresses concerns over pay, class sizes, planning time, and mental health support for students. The missed school days will be made up by shortening winter and summer breaks. The contract will cost approximately $175 million over the next three years and includes salary increases for teachers and increased classroom and planning time.
After more than three weeks of a teachers' strike, Portland Public Schools and the Portland Association of Teachers have reached a tentative deal, allowing over 40,000 students to return to school on Monday. The agreement includes wins for student mental health support, class size, protected planning time, building health and safety protections, and a nearly 13.8% cost-of-living adjustment over three years. The contract will cost about $175 million over the next three years, leading to significant budget cuts in the upcoming school year.
Portland Public Schools and the Portland Association of Teachers have reached a tentative agreement, ending the month-long strike and allowing 43,000 students to return to school on Monday. The final sticking point of additional raises for teachers was resolved in favor of the union. The agreement includes more mental health supports for students and increased planning time for educators. The strike canceled 11 days of school, and the missed days will be made up by extending the school year and converting scheduled teacher work days and holidays into teaching days. The proposed contract still needs to be ratified by the school board and the union.
Portland Public Schools has announced a compromise on the issue of class size committees, which has been a major point of contention in the ongoing teachers strike. The district's proposal would include parent voices on the committees while ensuring student privacy, but the teachers' union has not yet responded to the proposal.
