PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Uncertainty among families attending Portland Public Schools continues.
The district is once again considering major budget cuts that could mean fewer teachers and programs.
Parents got the chance to share how they think the district can save money, but said it’s not entirely the district’s fault.
“I think it’s devastating. I think that our schools have cut as much as they can,” Grayson Dempsey, a parent of two Lincoln High School students, said.
“The reality is that we don’t have enough money, we don’t have enough of a pie to truly serve all of our kiddos here in PPS,” Bridlemile Elementary School parent Ashley Schofield said.
PPS says it will have to cut nearly 300 jobs to save $50 million.
Elementary schools would be hit the hardest with fewer adults.
This means larger class sizes, especially if the district begins merging first and second grade classes, which is part of the plan.
PPS also plans to reduce the number of counselors and support staff and to cut jobs at its central office.
All this is being blamed on declining enrollment and rising costs, but many also blame state leaders.
“I think as parents, we need to be vocal. We need to speak up and say, this is our state lawmakers, a problem as well, not just our districts,” Schofield said.
PPS has been making major cuts in recent years, totaling nearly $100 million since 2022.
Although these latest cuts are imminent, it is not certain it’ll happen because the board still must approve it.
Regardless of where and when those cuts are made, parents call it devastating.
“I think at this point there’s nothing good to be cut. It’s all muscle. There’s no fat,” Schofield said.