Politics
Oregon governor urges Portland schools to give families more time on closure plan
Gov. Tina Kotek asked Portland Public Schools leaders to slow the process for considering more than a dozen possible school closures and ensure families can understand and weigh in. The district says it has held 50 community sessions and argues that declining enrollment, unequal student experiences and financial pressure make changes necessary.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is urging Portland Public Schools to give families more time and clearer information before deciding whether to close more than a dozen schools.
In a letter sent Tuesday, Oct. 13, to Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong and Board President Eddie Wang, Kotek said the district should slow its decision-making process. School closures affect more than the buildings where students learn, she wrote: Neighborhood schools also provide connection and a sense of belonging for students, families and surrounding communities.
Kotek said families need enough time to understand the process and offer meaningful input, adding that confusion about how decisions are made should not be accepted.
The district is considering closures as part of a broader effort to adjust its school system. PPS said in a statement that declining enrollment, disparities in students’ experiences and mounting financial pressures have made action necessary after more than a decade of postponing closure decisions. The district said community engagement has been part of the process from the outset and that it has held 50 sessions across Portland.
The debate has drawn concern from parents. Jonathan Pulvers said Kotek’s intervention reflected public frustration with how the process has unfolded. Firiel Elliot said the governor’s letter showed understanding, but added that residents would want to see that concern reflected in action.
The issue is also entering the 2026 governor’s race. Republican Christine Drazan, Kotek’s challenger, said she would work to keep schools open in Portland and Salem, where closures are also being considered. Drazan called for districts to listen to families, examine alternatives and show whether closures would produce meaningful savings. She also pointed to voter-approved bond investments in some school buildings.
No closure decisions were announced in the statements. The choices could reshape neighborhood access to schools and affect students, families and educators across Portland, while the district weighs community concerns against enrollment and budget pressures.