Superintendent to revise Jefferson cluster proposal

Smith is proposing the merger of Chief Joseph K-5 School and Ockley Green PK-8 School into one K-8 school starting in 2013. The Ockley Green K-5 magnet program would close in June. The proposal addresses crowding at Chief Joseph and under-enrollment at Ockley Green.

Smith's original proposal envisioned a transition period for the merger during which lower grade students would attend on the Chief Joseph campus and upper grade students on the Ockley Green campus. After the Ockley K-5 magnet program phased out and all students could fit on the Ockley Green campus, she had recommended that all students attend school at the Ockley Green building and that the Chief Joseph building close.

She now plans to revise her proposal to recommend that the merged school should operate on the two campuses indefinitely and that the Chief Joseph building should not close.

ACCESS Academy decoupled from King

Smith also indicated she would reconsider her recommendation that ACCESS Academy move from Sabin PK-8 to co-locate with King PK-8. She indicated that she would consider an alternate placement for ACCESS Academy for fall 2013.

Smith announced her intent to revise her recommendation Feb. 11 during a board work session -- while taking community and school board feedback on the resolution that would implement the proposed changes.

The board will proceed as planned, voting on the updated recommendations on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. in the Board Auditorium, 501 N. Dixon St.

Follow the process on the PPS Enrollment Balancing web page.

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.