Portland Public Schools (PPS) officials continue to grapple with the challenge of maintaining financial efficiency amid escalating costs related to high school rebuilds.
A recent memo has revealed that the district is poised to trim costs associated with three major high school renovation projects, which are part of a larger $1.83 billion bond set to go to voters in May.
During an April 8 briefing, district officials conveyed optimistic estimates, indicating that they could potentially cut between $33 million and $67 million from the overall budget.
However, this amount represents less than 5% of the total expenditures, suggesting that even with these adjustments, the final costs for Cleveland, Ida B. Wells, and Jefferson high schools will remain close to half a billion dollars each.
These figures fall short of the initial hopes expressed by PPS chief operating officer Dan Jung, who had anticipated savings of between $20 million and $40 million per project.
Despite some progress, including reductions in square footage, it appears that the essential amenities like teen parent and health centers will still be retained at two of the three high schools.
The persistent goals for LEED Gold certification alternatives have not been addressed in this latest memo, raising questions about the effectiveness of current cost-cutting measures.
While the memo also mentions ongoing efforts to review insurance requirements within contracts and explore alternatives to structural and mechanical systems, it unveiled a concerning trend: as redesigns aimed at cost-savings were implemented, some expenses ended up increasing.
Jung noted that changes in design have led to higher design fees, and delays caused by paused projects could further escalate costs, placing additional financial pressure on the district.
In a separate but equally pressing matter, Rep. Tawna Sanchez (D-Portland) has taken steps towards enhancing community safety through proposed legislation.
The Oregon Legislature’s Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response has recently heard testimony regarding a bill aimed at redefining the term “school” to include preschools for the purposes of drug-related charges.
This legislative move comes in light of a recent incident involving the owner of the Stop N Go Mini Mart, Donald Sharma, who was arrested for drug-related activities near Dawson Park.
Due to the proximity to Arc-en-Ciel preschool, drug charges against Sharma were dismissed, highlighting a loophole in the existing legislation that Sanchez seeks to close.
Support for Sanchez’s bill has emerged from various stakeholders, including parents from the Arc-en-Ciel community and local law enforcement officials concerned about safety in the area affected by an open-air drug market.
Allea Martin, a parent from Arc-en-Ciel, expressed her support in a letter, indicating a strong community desire for improved safety measures.
In an administrative development, the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners is searching for a successor following the resignation of Melissa Fireside amid allegations of financial misconduct.
Metro Councilor Christine Lewis has emerged as a candidate to fill this vacancy, bringing the perspective of a current elected official with significant experience in regional governance.
Lewis represents Metro District 2, encompassing several communities including Gladstone, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, and West Linn.
Her application to the vacancy comes at a time when she is being considered a prospective candidate for the presidency of the Metro Council in 2027, making her potential transition to county politics a notable career shift.
The salary discrepancy also weighs on the decision, as the Metro Council president earns approximately $185,508, while Clackamas County commissioners receive $130,213.
Lewis has articulated her reason for pursuing the county commission position, citing the role’s full-time nature and the opportunity to engage more directly in projects related to housing services and transportation, areas where she has already been collaborating with Clackamas County.
Her aspirations for the county include providing stability and thoughtful leadership, qualities she believes would enhance the commission’s effectiveness.
The selected candidate for the Clackamas County Board position will have a term that extends until December 2026, with a subsequent election scheduled for November to finalize the office holder through the end of 2028.
image source from：https://www.wweek.com/news/2025/04/23/murmurs-memo-shows-high-school-costs-remain-stubborn/
