January 10, 2008

What should we do with our school buildings?

Four meetings this month offer a chance for students, staff, parents and neighbors to learn more about the state of Portland Public Schools’ buildings … and to weigh in on whether they should be repaired, renovated or replaced. The meetings will gather community sentiment as the school district and School Board develop a long-range facilities plan. Sessions in four parts of the city will discuss options for schools in those areas: Jan. 15 at Jefferson High School (north), Jan. 16 at Wilson High School (west), Jan. 22 at Madison High School (northeast) and Jan. 23 at Franklin High School (southeast). All meetings will be held from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

At each session, consultants will summarize public input on building priorities from community meetings in May and November. They then will present findings from their analysis of the physical conditions and educational suitability of each school in that quadrant.  

Based on those findings, the consultants will present options for repairing, renovating or replacing each school, and the costs of each option. Community members can ask questions and give feedback on the options. 

Child care and translation in Vietnamese, Spanish, Mandarin and Russian will be available at each meeting. 

Following the meetings, district staff will work with the consultants to develop a draft plan, which will be presented to the school board in March. Public input sessions on the draft plan will be held in April, and the board is scheduled to adopt a final facilities plan in May.

For more information, and detailed facility condition reports on each school building, visit www.reshape.pps.k12.or.us or call 503-916-3261.

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Portland Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and educator.