PPS Superintendent discusses 2025-2026 budget proposal
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong laid out her proposal for the 2025-2026 school year at a press conference Wednesday morning, a proposal which includes laying off hundreds of positions in the district.
At the event, Armstrong spoke on the current deficit the district is facing, $40 million, and the fact that this is the district's third straight year facing a deficit.
She also shared that the current budget reflects tough decisions being made with students as their central focus.
Proposal to make Portland Street Response its own standalone unit moves forward
According to Armstrong, when it comes to layoffs, the central office is taking the biggest hit and in total, they are looking at a reduction of at least 240, which includes layoffs, vacant positions and teachers who are retiring and will not be replaced.
'We are making sure that our classrooms have all the essential services to be successful,' said Armstrong. 'That we are continuing with high-quality instruction, materials that our standards align, and making sure that we are providing wrap-around supports to our students who need it most. We still believe that Portland Public Schools is the best option and choice for families in our community, and we are going to continue to uplift those experiences.'
When asked about some of the key reasons for the budget deficit, Armstrong said that the district has been seeing declining enrollment and that schools receive funding on a per-student basis. She also said that the district has been affected by rising costs.
PPS Chief Financial Officer Michelle Morrison emphasized that this current budget proposal is only preliminary and that it will be revised.
Next week at Grant High School, PPS is hosting a Board Budget Public Comment Session meant to allow the public to voice their input to the board on next year's budget.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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