Portland Councilor's Save Public Schools Resolution Urges Governor to Pause School Closures; Item Not Yet on Council Agenda
In Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, City Councilor Mitch Green has introduced a 'Save Public Schools' resolution urging Governor Tina Kotek to authorize release of the state's Education Stability Funds to pause school closures under consideration by Portland Public Schools. As of 2 p.m. on October 27, however, the resolution had not won the approval of nine councilors needed to place it on the Council agenda.
The resolution states that the Portland Public Schools board and superintendent are contemplating closure of up to 14 schools, including six Title I schools, redrawing dozens of attendance boundaries and relocating thousands of students. 'Healthy public schools are the centerpieces of our city's vibrant neighborhoods,' Green said.
The resolution also declares revenue reform and increased public education spending a top priority for Portland in the 2027 Oregon Legislative Session: reforming the Kicker rebate methodology, fully decoupling Oregon's tax code from the federal H.R. 1, and referring repeal or reform of property-tax Measures 5 and 50 to the ballot. It cites projections that H.R. 1 will cut more than $8 billion in federal funding to Oregon by 2031, threatening city programs such as SUN Community Schools and Summer Free for All.
Green's office said on October 27 that he will ask Council President Jamie Dunphy to schedule the item for next week.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：波特兰市中心与威拉米特河（资料图）。来源：GSM 城市站图片库 / Downtown Portland and the Willamette River (file photo). Source: GSM city-station image library.
