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PPS Rightsizing (aka school closures)
PPS Rightsizing (aka school closures)
What is "rightsizing"?
What is "rightsizing"?
PPS describes this process as "developing a long-term plan to address declining enrollment, rising costs, and the sustainable use of our school facilities, including potential program changes, boundary adjustments, and how we use our buildings." Unsaid here is the real potential for school closures.
We encourage Whitman community members to sign up for public comment at PPS board meetings or email the school board to advocate for Whitman and Title I schools. Info on board meetings.
We encourage Whitman community members to sign up for public comment at PPS board meetings or email the school board to advocate for Whitman and Title I schools. Info on board meetings.
To request a speaking slot at a meeting, email publiccomment@pps.net.
Email the board here: Schoolboard@pps.net or the board member for Whitman's zone, Eddie Wang: eddiewang@pps.net.
Optional template email here
Why do our voices matter?
Why do our voices matter?
Over the past 25 years:
5 of the 6 elementary schools closed qualified for Free and Reduced Lunches, a marker of Title I status (Whitman is a Title I school)
All middle school closures or conversions to K-8 were the five highest-poverty middle schools in the district at the time of the changes.
The only high school closed was among the 3 serving the highest percentage of low-income students at the time of the closure.
Advocacy throughout the district
Advocacy throughout the district
There are many PTA and school community efforts across the district around this process. A few we are aware of:
Title I Schools Coalition (no website): Takes the position that Title I communities should not be disproportionately impacted by closures. “Our purpose is not simply to advocate for our own schools. Our commitment is to stand with one another, whichever communities are included in the district's future scenarios.”
Latest update from this coalition:
The district expects to continue sharing information about the current and projected future state of PPS, while “gathering community feedback on how to strengthen educational opportunities and create a more sustainable district.” Shortly after that, they anticipate presenting the decision-making criteria that will guide rightsizing recommendations. They emphasized that these criteria will be grounded in board policies they developed and that they want to clearly demonstrate how those policies connect to the decisions that are ultimately made.
From there, the timeline is expected to move quickly. Within a matter of weeks, the district anticipates sharing possible rightsizing scenarios and holding community engagement meetings to gather feedback.
What else can we do?
What else can we do?
Because enrollment may be a factor in these decisions, we also encourage everyone to share what makes our school special with your neighbors and on social media. Show prospective Whitman families why our community is strong, welcoming, and worth choosing.
Contact district leadership to advocate for our school—another sample template here.
Rightsizing in the news
Rightsizing in the news
PPS Plans to Close Several Schools by Fall 2027, Willamette Week March 10, 2026
Here’s What PPS Will Consider as It Selects Schools to Close, Willamette Week March 18, 2026
As Portland Public Schools weighs sweeping closures, parents wonder which schools will be left standing, The Oregonian Aug 28, 2026
Portland Public Schools to discuss closing 15 elementary schools Tuesday; equity a focus, KATU News Aug 31, 2026
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