‘Heartbreaking decision’: PPS board chair reacts to public pushback over school closure plan

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Portland Public Schools is still facing tough questions over a $65 million budget shortfall that could close up to 14 schools and cut hundreds of staff. FOX 12 was able to hear directly from the board chair after growing concerns from parents and teachers about the district’s proposed “rightsizing” plan.

Closing up to 14 schools and cutting 450 district jobs is not where PPS Board Chair Eddie Wang wants to be.

“No one wants to close schools. We’re not in this because we want to close schools,” said PPS Board Chair Eddie Wang. “It is absolutely a heartbreaking decision, none of us want to be here.”

In October, the district surveyed more than 3,200 community members and on Wednesday, parents brought their frustration straight to the board about the district’s proposed “rightsizing” plan.

“Many studies have shown that proximity to schools and trust in their communities play a major role in attendance. Students have better attendance when they live closer to their schools, their roots to schools are safe and they’re trusted adults and peers are present,” said one speaker.

Wang said that feedback is sinking in.

“Especially the feedback that’s talking about how to mitigate the impact, feedback that shares things we may have not considered before for example the unique attributes of certain neighborhoods that haven’t been taken into account, and those have all been a part of the conversation,” said Wang.

But as PPS faces a $65 million budget deficit, Wang said delaying action could only make things worse.

“This probably should have been done starting 20 years ago, and probably the best way to do it would have been a slow roll out over 20 years,” said Wang. “And so right now we’re at a point where there is no more road to kick the can down, and if we don’t do anything, it is really dire, it is going to be really dire for a lot of our schools.”

Wang said all the feedback the board is receiving will continue to help as it prepares to hear the Superintendent’s final recommendation on November 17, then a final vote by the board is expected in December.