October 6, 2026
Portland Public Schools Board of Education — October 6, 2026 Regular Meeting
3 decisions explained in plain language. 2 more are being checked.
Districtwide
Two plans would close 11 or 14 Portland public schools
District staff showed the board two proposed plans to deal with schools that have too few students.
Decision: No vote: this was an update to the board. These are proposals only, and no decision was requested.
Details
Scenario A would close 14 schools and change 38 attendance boundaries. Scenario B would close 11 schools and keep Stephenson, Rose City Park and Lewis open. Both plans also move language immersion programs, turn seven K-8 schools into K-5 schools, and shift some students to new schools.
Who it affects: Students, families and staff across the district, with about 27% of students changing schools under Scenario A and 24% under Scenario B.
Money: The district says it spends an average of $9,484.17 per student on basic staffing. Smaller schools cost more per student; for example, Jefferson High School costs $13,638.41 per student and Grant High School costs $8,010.06.
Next: The district will gather community feedback. The Superintendent will make a recommendation in mid-November, and the board will vote on it at a public meeting in December.
Specific places or groups
Bond watchdog group says school building projects are on track
A volunteer community committee that watches how Portland Public Schools spends voter-approved bond money gave its regular report.
Decision: No vote: this was a report to the board.
Details
It found the money is being spent only on allowed projects, there is enough to finish the promised work, and the rebuilds of Cleveland, Jefferson and Ida B. Wells high schools and the Grice-Adair Center are on schedule to open in fall 2029. It also noted an ongoing dispute with the contractor that built Benson High School.
Who it affects: Students, families, staff and neighbors at Cleveland, Jefferson and Ida B. Wells high schools and the Grice-Adair Center, and taxpayers who pay for the bonds.
Money: Voters have approved $4.6 billion in school bonds since 2012 (2012: $482 million; 2017: $790 million; 2020: $1.206 billion; 2025: $1.8 billion). About 54% has been spent and $2.1 billion remains, mostly from the 2025 bond. The Cleveland High School rebuild budget is $472,553,760, including $15 million for athletic fields at Powell Park.
Next: Cleveland, Jefferson and Ida B. Wells high schools and the Grice-Adair Center are scheduled to open in fall 2029. Design for the three high schools is due to finish by the end of 2026.
School board votes on autism services, legal and math software contracts
The board must approve any district contract over $150,000.
Decision: The board was scheduled to vote at the October 6, 2026 meeting. The result will be in the minutes, which are not published yet.
Details
This resolution covers two agreements with Reynolds School District and David Douglas School District to provide regional services for eligible people with autism. It also extends a legal services contract with the Miller Nash law firm and renews i-Ready math and reading licenses for grades 6 to 8 from Curriculum Associates.
Who it affects: Students and other eligible people with autism served by the regional program, and middle school students in grades 6 to 8 who use i-Ready.
Money: $374,000 to Reynolds School District and $301,000 to David Douglas School District for autism services from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, paid by grants. $400,000 more for Miller Nash legal services through June 30, 2028, bringing that contract to $1,600,000, paid from the general fund and bond money. $58,005 for a one-year i-Ready license renewal through September 30, 2027, bringing that contract to $239,185, paid by a grant.
Written by AI from the official record and checked automatically. How this works