News Archive
How old are PPS schools?
April 20, 2011
How many schools has PPS built since purchasing its first PC? Which high school was the world’s largest when it was built? Which three schools, still in operation, received electric lights as retrofits? Find answers to these questions and more in a timeline of PPS school construction.
What goes into school construction budgets?
April 04, 2011
What factors go into school construction budgets? See the links below for detailed analysis of school construction budgets.
Chief operating officer message on bond costs
Cost estimates and budget by project
Facilities bond budget in line with other school districts
April 01, 2011
Independent construction experts, experienced school construction managers help PPS estimate school project costs. [More]
Earthquake safety: Bond would pay for further seismic work at schools
March 18, 2011
Portland Public Schools' buildings are, on average, 65 years old, constructed well before modern seismic construction standards. PPS has made some updates at most schools -- reinforcing the structures to help students and staff exit safely in case of a quake. With updated assessments from independent construction engineers, PPS has a plan to tackle the next round of work. If voters approve the May bond measure, 12 percent will pay for earthquake safety: full retrofits, roofing reinforcement and more. (Handout on earthquake safety)
PPS has plan to protect the community's investment in modernized schools
March 16, 2011
The school facilities bond would rebuild nine schools across the school district, but how would PPS maintain them? Tight budgets across Oregon have school districts clamping down on their custodial and maintenance costs, and PPS has been no exception. But as PPS looks to the future, leaders have identified a long-range plan to maintain the rebuilt schools. And just as important, they have laid out the income streams to pay for it.
Bond would bring cleaner, more efficient heat to 40-plus schools
March 15, 2011
Few besides school custodians ever get an up-close look, but about half of Portland Public Schools' buildings are heated by oil-burning boilers, often as old as the buildings themselves. [ More ]
Election measures' cost to homeowners
March 11, 2011
Portland Public Schools voters will decide on two property tax measures in the May election: a bond measure to increase safety and update school buildings, and a local option levy to pay for teaching positions. Together, they would add $2.74 per $1,000 to local property tax rates, with the costs to individual homeowners dependent on the value of their property. [More]
Facilities bond includes safety, security measures
February 8, 2011
Documents Archive
- Nov. 8, 2010 - Summary of Superintendent's Proposal (Adobe PDF)
- Nov. 8, 2010 - Chart of modernization projects by school
- Nov. 8, 2010 - Superintendent's Proposal for School Modernization (Adobe PDF)
- Nov. 8, 2010 - Summary of Superintendent's Proposal (Adobe PDF)
- Nov. 8, 2010 - Superintendent's comments regarding modernization plan (Adobe PDF)
- Oct. 17, 2009 - PPS students, staff and community members sketch out ideas for safe, smart and sustainable schools …
- PPS has a remarkable collection of school buildings, many with historic significance
Facilities comparison slideshow
December 08, 2010
Photos showing comparisons of Portland Public school facilities and others
Modernization project a plus for Portland economy
December 01, 2010
Portland Public Schools’ proposed school modernization bond would provide a significant boost to the local economy – adding almost 2,600 jobs in the Portland region and $222 million in personal income over the six-year construction time-period, according to an analysis by a local economic consultant firm.
[More]
Feedback shapes adjustments to school modernization proposal
November 30, 2010
Since Nov. 8, when Superintendent Carole Smith proposed a $548 million bond measure to increase safety, upgrade security and building systems, and update technology and classrooms to support teaching and learning in all PPS schools, school district leaders have received support, questions, concerns and suggestions from hundreds of people.
[More]
Is your school ‘historically significant’?
November 24, 2010
As part of Smart Sustainable Schools, the district’s long-range initiative to provide safer, healthier and more engaging learning environments, Portland Public Schools recently produced a detailed historical survey of its properties.
[More]
PPS taxes low compared to neighbor school districts
November 18, 2010
Portland Public Schools property tax rates are low compared to surrounding school districts – almost entirely because every other district has a facilities bond measure.
[More]
Superintendent Carole Smith presents her proposal to modernize buildings and improve the learning environments for PPS students
November 08, 2010
We believe that the best results come from working with others – to do the research, to bring forth the best ideas, to create a plan and implement it together. That’s why, over the past three years, community members have joined with PPS staff, superintendent and Board of Education to develop a comprehensive plan to address Portland’s aging and out-dated school buildings. Please examine the documents posted in the Resources & News section of this page to learn the latest developments.
School board asks for plan to modernize schools
October 25, 2010
At the Portland School Board’s request, Superintendent Smith on Nov. 8 will propose a plan to improve PPS schools to provide up-to-date learning environments for students and teachers.
[More]
School board approves Marysville K-8 School architecture design firm
April 26, 2010
The Portland School Board took another step towards the rebuilding of Marysville K-8 School in Southeast Portland, damaged by a fire in November 2009. At its April 26 meeting, the school board approved the hiring of DLR Group, an architecture and engineering firm, to begin the design process.
[More]
Join the party for new high-tech classroom
September 03, 2009
Da Vinci Middle School's long-awaited Evans-Harvard High Performance Classroom is completed, and you're invited to join the celebration Saturday, Sept. 12.
[More]
Rain or shine, roofing project's a winner
July 27, 2009
A summer project that will keep the heads of PPS students dry come fall is on its way to saving a significant amount of money on electric bills as well. Installation of solar panels began this month at Woodstock Elementary School, one of nine school buildings getting new roofs this summer. The roofs mark the first improvements in a long-term PPS initiative to renovate aging school buildings.
[More]
| For More Information about the School Modernization Plan, please contact: PPS Office of School Modernization Schoolmodernization@pps.net (503) 916-2801 |
