Portland Public Schools board approves $2B budget amid $40M shortfall

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - The Portland Public Schools board Monday night unanimously voted to approve the $2 billion proposed budget, moving one step closer to several budget cuts in an effort to address a $40 million shortfall.

In an effort to address the reductions - programs, services, and staff positions will be affected at both the school-based and district-wide levels, including a cut to 65 positions in the central office.

Programs that will be protected with the approved budget include core academic programs, job embedded site-based learning, social-emotional and climate supports, student facing academic supports, school leadership supports, arts and music, and athletics.

RELATED:

The approved budget assumes passage of the 2025 bond that is on Tuesday’s Oregon Special Election ballot. Meaning voters have a huge role in the district’s future, with $1.83 billion on the line.

The bond would be used to update and repair schools, improve safety and security, modernize Jefferson, Ida B. Wells and Cleveland high schools, improve technology and educational materials, and update athletic and performing arts facilities.

On Monday, parents and students rallied outside Cleveland High School in a last effort to drum up support.

“My first assignment as a senior was to clean up fallen ceiling tiles that had fallen over the summer, and there was several trash bags full,” said senior Josh Pontefract.

The bond would be funded by property taxes, renewing the existing rate of $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Now, the district waits to see what voters decide. Then, they have less than a month to vote on a final budget with a meeting scheduled for June 10.