Facilities plan released; PPS seeks bond input

Since December, the Long Range Facilities Plan Advisory Committee has been meeting to learn about PPS buildings and determine options for long-term improvements.

The nearly three-dozen committee members include business leaders, educators, engineering and construction professionals, representatives of other local government agencies, parents and community leaders.

The committee's plan recommends that the community engage in a series of school construction bonds over many years. It has developed four school-construction scenarios to illustrate possible approaches to begin the work. A bond development committee will translate these options into school-specific proposals for the community to consider at three upcoming public meetings (see sidebar).

Key questions that school district leaders are asking are:

• Should the school district consider putting a school construction bond before voters?
• What kinds of building improvements do you want to see in schools?
• Which schools should be upgraded?

In June, the school board will consider feedback from the community meetings along with the committee’s recommendations to determine next steps.

To learn more go online or call 503-916-3817. To speak to a bilingual staff member in Spanish, call 503-916-3582; Russian, 503-916-3583; Vietnamese, 503-916-3584; Chinese, 503-916-3585, or Somali, 503-916-3586.

At Portland Public Schools, this is our goal: By the end of elementary, middle, and high school, every student by name will meet or exceed academic standards and will be fully prepared to make productive life decisions. For more information on Portland Public Schools, call 503-916-3304, e-mail us at pubinfo@pps.net, or visit www.pps.k12.or.us. Portland Public Schools is an equal opportunity educator and employer.