Portland board starts districtwide 'Growing Great Schools' rightsizing conversation with goal for fall proposal

Portland Public Schools staff presented the framework for a districtwide rightsizing effort the board labeled 'Growing Great Schools' during the March 10 meeting and asked directors for guidance on scope, engagement and timing.

The program is organized as a six‑phase process: exploration and data compilation; convening an advisory committee; developing guiding principles and criteria; studying options and scenarios; recommending a district‑level proposal; and planning implementation. Staff said the objective is to align facilities, enrollment and programming so each student attends a “well‑resourced” school and noted the timeline aims for a superintendent recommendation by late fall 2026 with board action before winter break.

Directors emphasized equity, transparency and urgency. Several voiced support for a district‑wide review rather than piecemeal, citing system‑level ripple effects if changes are made regionally. Board members asked for clear KPIs, robust outreach that reaches under‑represented families, and a two‑step engagement process: present board‑crafted guiding principles for community reaction, then return with concrete options for feedback. Staff said Teaching, Learning & Enrollment (TLE) will be used as a venue for detailed vetting and that they will bring draft resolutions on scope and factors in the coming weeks.

Next steps: staff will return with more detailed data and draft guiding principles for board vetting, schedule listening sessions and prepare materials for TLE and a board work session. The board signaled support for strong outreach and for moving at a pace that allows a recommendation in the fall rather than a protracted multi‑year delay.