Increasingly, families are relocating from Portland to suburban areas in pursuit of superior educational facilities. This migration underscores the urgent need for investment in Portland's schools to ensure they remain safe, robust, and conducive to student achievement. By endorsing the Portland Public Schools bond during the May special election, residents have a unique opportunity to fortify the city's future. Measure 26-259 aims to refresh the existing tax rate while providing essential upgrades to schools across Portland, including the completion of high school modernizations.
The proposed bond measure seeks to channel nearly $1.83 billion into Portland's educational infrastructure without raising tax rates. As earlier bonds reach their expiration, this initiative will maintain the current tax burden of approximately $2.50 per $1,000 assessed property value. This means enhancing school safety and modernity without additional fiscal strain on taxpayers. The urgency is clear: over half of Portland's elementary, K-8, and middle schools were constructed prior to 1930, facing challenges with outdated heating, cooling, plumbing, and roofing systems that compromise classroom comfort year-round.
This bond measure also addresses the incomplete modernization of several high schools, notably Cleveland, Ida B. Wells, and Jefferson. It honors the commitment made to voters in 2012 to revamp all Portland high schools. Completing these projects ensures students benefit from up-to-date facilities tailored to contemporary learning needs.
With the backing of the community, Portland can proceed with confidence towards renewing, repairing, and modernizing its schools. Casting a "yes" vote on the PPS school bond represents a pivotal step forward in securing a brighter future for the city's youth and families.
Through this measure, Portland has the chance to transform its aging schools into vibrant centers of learning. Supporting the bond not only preserves the current financial stability for homeowners but also guarantees that every child has access to an environment designed for success. By choosing to invest now, the city can solidify its reputation as a leader in public education and foster a generation ready to meet tomorrow's challenges.