Portland Public Schools (PPS) is advancing a plan to purchase a $16 million building in North Portland for a new Center for Black Student Excellence. The proposal, however, is drawing significant concern from community members and educators over its high costs, lack of a defined academic strategy, and questions about student accessibility.
Key Takeaways
- Portland Public Schools plans to spend $16 million to purchase the One North development for a new center, with an additional $20-25 million needed for renovations.
- The district has not presented specific academic goals or a clear plan for how the center will improve student outcomes.
- Critics, including the Portland Association of Teachers, have raised alarms about the rushed process, high operational costs, and the facility's distance from many students' schools.
- Only 20% of the district's Black students attend schools within walking distance of the proposed location.
A Pricey Proposal with Unanswered Questions
The proposal to acquire the One North development at North Fremont Street and North Williams Avenue comes with a substantial financial commitment. Beyond the initial $16 million purchase price, a newly released due diligence report indicates that the district will need to invest an additional $20 million to $25 million in essential upgrades.
These renovations include significant updates to the building's heating and cooling systems and crucial seismic retrofitting to ensure the 10-year-old structure can withstand a major earthquake. This requirement has raised eyebrows, as dozens of older school buildings across the district remain on a waiting list for similar life-saving repairs.
By the Numbers: The Center's Cost
- Purchase Price: $16 million
- Renovation Estimate: $20-25 million
- Annual Operating Costs: Over $736,000
- Projected District Shortfall (2026): $50 million
While bond funds approved by voters in 2020 would cover the capital costs, the ongoing operational expenses present another challenge. The district estimates it will cost over $736,000 annually to run the facility. Even with rental income from current commercial tenants, a significant portion of this cost would fall on the district's general fund, which is already facing a projected $50 million shortfall by 2026.
Concerns Over Access and Purpose
A primary concern revolves around whether the students the center is intended to serve can easily get there. An analysis shows that only one-fifth of the district's Black students are enrolled in schools within walking distance. More than a third of these students attend schools five miles away or farther, creating a significant transportation hurdle that has not yet been addressed.
Furthermore, city restrictions might prohibit student use of the building's upper floors, including its large central atrium. This could render as much as 20% of the space unusable for its intended purpose. The renovation timeline is also longer than many expected, with estimates suggesting it could take up to two and a half years to complete.
The 2020 Bond Promise
In 2020, Portland voters authorized up to $60 million as part of a school bond to create a Center for Black Student Excellence. The initiative was intended to address historical inequities and provide targeted support. The original vision included the possibility of a "constellation of community schools" and various strategies, not necessarily a single, centralized building.
Perhaps the most critical question is what the center will actually do. District officials have offered a broad vision but have yet to provide specific, measurable academic goals or a detailed curriculum plan. When asked if the school board would have this information before a final vote, PPS Vice Chair Michelle DePass stated, "That’s a great question. I don’t know."
A Rushed Process and Growing Opposition
The lack of detail has fueled criticism from key stakeholders, including the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT). In a strong statement, PAT President Angela Bonilla criticized the district for what she described as a rushed process that ignores the immediate needs of students.
"Black students don’t need a new building, far from their schools, with no school bus access," Bonilla stated, panning the proposal for "using race as a smokescreen for the conversion of public funds into private and non-profit hands."
Concerns have also been raised about the board's procedure. Board Chair Eddie Wang and Vice Chair DePass have reportedly bypassed the standard committee vetting process. A planned discussion in the board's facilities committee was moved directly to the full board's agenda, limiting opportunities for public input and detailed examination.
Virginia La Forte, who chairs the facilities committee, attempted to hold the scheduled discussion but faced objections. This move has been interpreted by some as an effort to fast-track the purchase without a thorough public review of the due diligence report.
The school board is scheduled to take up the issue this week, with a potential final vote on the purchase slated for as early as December 2. The decision will determine whether the district moves forward with a multi-million dollar real estate deal before a clear plan for its use is in place, leaving many families and educators demanding more answers.