LWV says Vote Yes on the PPS Bond
Based on our studies of Portland schools and the national League of Women Voters of the U.S. positions on Education, the League of Women Voters of Portland urges voters to vote “Yes” on the Portland Public Schools Bond Measure 26-259, “Bonds to Improve Health, Safety, and Learning; Modernize, Repair Schools,” in the May 20, 2025 Election.
Read our statement about this measure below or as a PDF here.
LWV Portland Recommends a “Yes” Vote on Measure 26-259, “School Building Improvement Bond for Portland Public Schools”
The Portland Public Schools May 20 bond measure would authorize up to $1.83 billion in general obligations bonds for facilities and education investments. Bond proceeds would be used to:
- Renovate or replace Ida B. Wells, Cleveland, and Jefferson High Schools. Design work on Jefferson started under the previous bond.
- Replace or repair roofs, mechanical systems, in elementary and middle schools
- Update security systems, fencing, and make seismic upgrades
- Purchase curriculum materials, provide tablets for students, update technology
- Upgrade athletic facilities including at Roosevelt, Lincoln, Franklin, and Grant, among others
Most schools in the district were built before WW II and many are over 100 years old. This measure is one of a series of bond measures passed in 2012, 2017, and 2020 aimed at improving, updating, modernizing school buildings. The work on a number of the high schools has been completed.
This bond would renovate or replace the three remaining high schools. Due to declining debt service, the measure is not expected to increase the bond tax rate above $2.50/$1,000 assessed value, the rate that has been targeted since the 2017 bond. An independent community group will review audits and quarterly reports to provide accountability to the public.
The League’s recommendation for a “yes” vote is based on local and national League member-adopted positions calling for well-maintained educational facilities with buildings and facilities meeting state and local standards.
Background from Portland Public Schools
About our recommendations
The League of Women Voters may recommend supporting or opposing a ballot measure if we have studied the issues that it would affect. The Portland League has studied “Public School Districts in Portland” ten times since 1968. As a result of these detailed studies, we adopted and reapproved annually an advocacy position on factors we believe are needed to “provide a quality education for all children to develop the greatest potential in each individual…”
The League’s educational wing also provide factual, neutral voter resources to inform voters, which is available elsewhere on this website. The League of Women Voters never takes a position for or against any candidate. However, we sometimes support or oppose ballot measures, based on League studies of the issues.