Portland Public Schools are scrambling to patch a gaping $30 million budget shortfall for the coming year, with $15 million in cuts expected to impact the district's schools directly, OPB reports. The looming deficit looms larger following a costly teachers' contract settled last November, which could prompt up to $130 million in reductions over its three-year term.
Amid these financial struggles, Portland, Oregon's largest school district, was notably absent from the list of recipients for a piecemeal $30 million state fund earmarked for summer school programs. The district, consisting of a 55% white student body, was sidelined due to its relative lack of child poverty compared to other districts in the region. Beaverton, Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and several others stood first in line for the state aid according to the criteria set by state education authorities, prioritizing historically underserved student populations, The Center reported.
These grants, which can reach up to $1.5 million per district, seek to boost educational opportunities during the summer for students facing significant challenges, such as those with disabilities, from high-poverty backgrounds, or English language learners. Portland Public Schools, ranking 118th among 281 Oregon school districts for these funds, was caught off guard by its low placement.
"Portland officials said the district’s low ranking came as a big surprise," according to an account from OregonLive. The allocation process invites those who missed the first cut, to apply if initial grant winners fail to demonstrate at least 80 hours of academically enriching summer programming. This leaves Portland Public Schools with a glimmer of hope, though faint, to still benefit from this round of state funding.
