07-05-2025
PPS Board moves forward with seismic upgrades to schools
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Portland Public Schools Board voted 7-0 Tuesday night to add seismic upgrades to school remodels.
Parents applauded the move as the looming threat of earthquakes could pose a huge risk to the city's older schools. Some families and board members have been fighting for this change for a long time.
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The PPS Board voted back in January to allocate some of the money from a forthcoming $1.8 billion bond, should voters approve it, to go toward modernizing three high schools: Cleveland, Jefferson and Ida B. Wells. However, some of the specifics of those remodels still needed to be worked out.
Tuesday night's resolution allocates $100 million for the reserve funds and directs any remaining funds toward seismic upgrades.
Per Olstad with Safe Structure PPS said he understands the board has their work cut out for them, with the district facing a looming $40 million budget shortfall and other projects.
'They've always had to balance the limited resources they have with the scope of needs in front of them. So I think it has taken a while, but it has finally sort of come around to dealing with this issue, which we're really excited to see,' he said.
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Ballots are out in the mail for a school bond vote, which is set to take place on May 20.
Olstad said even if voters pass the bond, the hard work is far from over. He and his peers plan to continue holding district leaders accountable throughout the process.
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