Your Daily Guide

Why Title 1 School Closures Hit Communities Harder

A forum held at Kellogg Middle School earlier this month marked the start of the lengthy community engagement process around proposed Portland Public Schools closures. At issue is how the district will decide which schools will close — and which communities will be most affected. [Willamette Week]

• Metrics to inform closures: PPS is considering many factors in deciding which 5 to 10 schools might soon be closing to manage significant budget gaps. Up for discussion are variables like enrollment, campus maintenance, transportation, and plans for the surrounding neighborhood. A new metric, utilization, was introduced this month as a key factor — it basically measures a school's functional capacity, regardless of enrollment. [Willamette Week]
• Title 1 schools unite: PPS has more than 30 Title 1 schools in the district — these are schools that receive federal funding for low-income students. Parents from Portland's Title 1 schools have created a coalition to make clear how school closures disproportionately impact them. This is because Title 1 schools often become community hubs and resource centers for low-income and immigrant families — helping with things like paying bills and fighting food insecurity. Nearly half of PPS's lowest-enrolled schools being considered for closure are Title 1. [Willamette Week]
• Related: Threats to close schools due to tight budgets and strained resources are not new in Portland. Over a decade ago, Jefferson High School (which is also a Title 1 school) was nearly closed due to low enrollment. Now the historically Black school is starting a major modernization project and anticipating a shift in student body demographics because of the district's recent plan to change the school's enrollment boundaries. [OPB]

Ski for Cheap Next Season

Due to historically low snowpack in our mountains this year, the ski season was shockingly short — at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, it lasted only 22 days. To make up for the devastating loss, the recreational area is offering this past winter's pass holders a deal: 72.5% off a season pass next year. [Oregonian]

Student Art on Display at PAM

This summer, the Portland Art Museum is showcasing more than 100 art pieces made by Portland Public Schools students. All 81 schools from the district are featured in the HeART of Portland Visual Art Exhibition across many mediums — from ceramics and collages to screen-printed t-shirts and zines. The program was created, in part, to demonstrate the positive effects of Portland's arts tax on arts education in schools. [Willamette Week]

A Shorter Walk to Baggage Claim at PDX

Earlier this month, Portland International Airport opened new, permanent exits at the north and south ends of the main terminal that shorten the post-flight walk to baggage claim. Depending on your arrival gate and baggage carousel, the walk can be up to ten minutes shorter now. In a couple of months, even more efficient paths will be opened that will remove the walk through PDX's departures area entirely. [Portland Monthly]

City and County Budget Pushback

Today on the pod, we’re talking about the city and county’s proposed budgets, what’s getting cut, how many jobs are on the line, and the pushback they’re receiving. Plus, a new exhibit at the Portland Art Museum featuring Portland Public School students might prove the arts tax isn’t so bad. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week reporter Brianna Wheeler and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. [City Cast Portland 🎧]