Portland Public Schools Won't Replace Teachers Who Retire Or Quit

PORTLAND, OR — Portland Public Schools expected to decrease the number of teachers in the 2022-23 school year, though it said Tuesday no layoffs were planned in its $1.89 billion budget, which it tentatively approved.

Instead, the district won't replace teachers who retire or resign, officials confirmed to Patch.

The district's budget office estimates that 87 positions will be eliminated through this process, officials told Patch. They did not say how much money the district expected to save as a result.

Portland Public Schools superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero told the board that while layoffs are not on the board for this year, that could change in the future.

"Next year's budget conversation will require difficult tradeoffs that could create significant disruptions when we don't have access to large amounts of one-time money," he said.

The budget, which could still change ahead of its expected adoption at its June 14 meeting, was approved with four votes in favor, one objection, one abstention, and one absence. The board's student member also voted no, stating that he had not had enough time to review it.

"This budget uses all available resources to limit the overall reduction of school staff, increase direct services to students, including more mental health supports, and adds more learning opportunities, including robust summer programming," Guerrero said in a release accompanying the budget.

Guerrero said that while times are getting tighter – part of the problem, he said is declining enrollment with the district forecasting a losss of 7,000 students over the next two years – there are some bright spots.

At one point, he stressed how the district is spending "$135 million to support student success," he said, adding "why aren't we clapping?"

Guerrero and district officials spoke about how the district was able to restore 74 positions, thought not teaching positions, that had been scheduled to be cut.

The district said that the 74 restored positions are:

• 18 special education staff.
• 25 educational assistants.
• 10 special education school support positions.
• 12 mental health professionals.
• 4 campus safety assistants.
• 5 positions to help reduce class size in elementary schools.

The district also is directing an additional $750,000 to support middle schools and an additional $17 million for emotional and mental health support for students.

"We know that our schools are part of the community," Guerrero said.