January 2023 School Board Memo to District 3 Community
DATE: January 25, 2023
TO: The District 3 Community
FROM: Julianne R. Opperman
RE: January 2023 Activity
This memo is to inform you about recent Portland School Board activity and the carrying out of policy in our Schools. Please share with your friends and neighbors or receive future updates by signing up at the bottom of the home page.
Stakeholders Needed for Superintendent Search
The Alma Consulting Group, the search firm tasked with recruiting a new Superintendent, outlined the search process to the board on January 3, 2023. An important part of the process begins with your input. We need to know what you expect in the next Superintendent.
Public comments and a survey are currently active with the hope that a detailed job description will be written by mid February. The public forums will occur on January 30th, and 31st, as well as February 1st, and 2nd. You can participate by going here .
Or click here to participate in the survey. Share what you feel are the necessary skills and abilities needed in the next Portland Public Schools Superintendent. The survey will be available until February 3rd.
While the search for a new Superintendent continues Melea Nalli and Aaron Townsend will serve as co-superintendents.
Payroll
As of this writing the payroll crisis is becoming more limited in its scope. A forensics firm is working until the end of January to audit the payroll. A technology team is systematically rectifying the issues. Employees are now getting paychecks that reflect their current salary. Stipends, tax deductions and retirement deductions are among the ongoing issues. Employees are asked to continue to monitor and review their pay.
There is a great deal of trust building that must occur within the Portland Public Schools as a result of the payroll issue. Board members have been meeting with groups of employees to hear about payroll issues. I’ve recently met with teachers from Portland Adult Education, Deering High School, Portland High School, King Middle School and Reiche Elementary School. I’ve also met with transportation employees.
Listening Sessions
The Board’s “listening sessions” gave the Board an opportunity to hear first hand what the issues our employees, students and bus drivers face every day.
Lack of staff is not only a national issue it is also a local issue. There just aren't enough individuals to meet the needs of all the students in the classroom or on the buses.
Teachers and ed techs want to, but can’t always work with individual students to teach in a timely manner. They are crying out for greater support for student learning at all grade levels
Bus routes are cut when there aren’t enough drivers. In some cases school staff are using their own vehicles to drive students to classes
It’s clear our teachers are dedicated. They are frustrated because it appears the Board and the Portland community are not reciprocating. They believe providing them with more time, more talent and increased financial resources is the solution to improve the situation.
We have over 6000 PreK to grade 12 students and in my opinion, the question we have to answer is “how do we allocate our resources within the context of improving student outcomes”.
Bus Safety Alert
School bus drivers told us in our “listening sessions” that an inordinate number of automobile drivers are putting students in jeopardy. By state law school buses stopped with flashing lights cannot be passed but in many cases they are and in both directions. This dangerous activity puts our young students in harm's way. Needless to say, if caught the car driver will receive a substantial fine.
The issue of cars whizzing by stopped buses is most acute on Brighton Avenue, Congress Street, Park Avenue, Stevens Avenue, Forest Avenue and Washington Avenue.
The school bus operators told us parents picking up students at school will pass stopped buses and pull in front of them to get closer to the school door. A stopped bus with flashing lights can not be passed. It’s for the safety of students and drivers.
School Budget
The PPS budget process has begun at the school board level. On March 6, 2023,the first Public Forum will be held. This happens before the superintendent presents the budget. This meeting is an opportunity to influence what goes on the initial presentation. The Operations, Personnel and Finance Committee will review the document shortly thereafter. Careful stewardship of resources is important. Educating our students is critical to the success of our city.
Here is a link to the FY 2023 Budget for your reference.
