‘It’s unacceptable’: Budget a hot-button issue at Portland Public Schools board meeting

Published 1:35 pm Wednesday, May 24, 2023

The Portland Public Schools Board voted on a budget based on a $9.9 billion state fund allocation Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers in Salem are working on increasing that to $10.2 billion.

However, the Portland Association of Teachers says it’s not enough and they are rallying for more school funding.

Parents, students and educators packed the school board meeting, overflowing into the parking lot as they showed up for public testimony.

“Nobody wants to work under these conditions. It’s unacceptable,” said special education teacher Ginger Huizar.

The teacher’s union wants the board to invest in more mental health supports and special education services, as well as caps to class sizes.

“I just want to make sure that we don’t pretend what Salem is doing is somehow fully funding education, they are not,” said Andrew Scott, the PPS board chair.

Portland Association of Teachers President Angela Bonilla says the current budget is decreasing licensed staff by 8%. She thinks PPS needs more teachers, not fewer.

KOIN 6 News is a news partner of the Pamplin Media Group. Their full story can be found here.