September 15, 2026
DRAFT Rightsizing Resolution (Engelsman)
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Plain-language summary
Board discusses draft plan to cut costs as enrollment falls
A board member, Engelsman, drafted a resolution asking the superintendent to save money and find new funding. Ideas include a hiring freeze on unfilled jobs until at least January 2027, no cost-of-living raise for salaries over $200,000, and cutting outside contracts not paid for by bonds by at least 10%. It also asks the district to look for empty properties to sell or lease, review top management jobs, and seek money from the City of Portland, The Fund for PPS and local businesses.
Decision: No vote: this was a discussion of a draft resolution. The board would need to vote on it at a later meeting for it to take effect.
Who it affects: District staff, especially job seekers and employees earning over $200,000, plus students and families served by district programs.
Money: Proposes cutting outside contracting not paid for by bonds by at least 10% and freezing cost-of-living raises for salaries over $200,000.
Official record
Written by AI from the official record and checked automatically. September 15, 2026
Full text
DRAFT
Resolution No. XXXX
Rightsizing Resolution (Engelsman)
RECITALS
A. WHEREAS, Portland Public Schools (PPS) is committed to student success and equitable
access to ensure every student can reach their full potential; and
B. WHEREAS, the Board of Education has established specific priorities of 3rd Grade Reading, 5th
Grade Math, 8th Grade Readiness and High School Graduation; and
C. WHEREAS, PPS is committed to providing rigorous, high-quality academic learning experiences
that are inclusive and joyful, while disrupting racial inequities to create vibrant environments for
every student to demonstrate excellence; and
D. WHEREAS, PPS is committed to providing safe, welcoming and healthy learning environments
that are conducive to student success and well-being;
E. WHEREAS, PPS is committed to well-resourced sustainable schools so that every PPS student
has equitable access to a robust and high-quality educational experience; and
F. WHEREAS, PPS is “developing a long-term plan to address declining enrollment, rising costs,
and the sustainable use of our school facilities, including potential program changes, boundary
adjustments, and how we use our buildings.”
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Education directs the Superintendent to:
1. Review prior board resolutions that set aside funding for whether they are still needed.
2. Conduct a span of control assessment, reviewing administrative “cabinet” positions, for whether
PPS is within best practices ratio for management roles.
3. Work with Portland Mayor and City Council to secure pledged funding directly to support Portland
Public Schools.
4. Look to reduce outside contracting (that is not bond funded) by at least 10%.
5. Implement a hiring freeze for unfilled positions until at least January 2027.
6. Implement a COLA freeze for salaries over $200,000.
7. Review property portfolio for empty and unused properties ready for sale or lease.
8. Work closely with The Fund for PPS and local businesses to secure pledges of funding to directly
support student-facing services in school buildings.
9. Secure more exact numbers of students living in poverty compared to the figure the State of
Oregon provides funding for.
