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PORTLAND, Ore. — On November 13, Portland Public Schools (PPS) recommended closing 10 elementary schools over the next two years as declining enrollment and a projected $65 million budget deficit have left few options.
Revised Proposal Would Close 10 Portland Schools Over Two Years
Portland school enrollment has fallen 12% since 2018–19. Eighty-nine percent of the decline was in elementary grades.
PPS recommends restructuring to reinvest resources in fewer, better-supported schools, rather than simply reduce expenditure. The recommendation proposes closing five schools in fall 2027 and another five in fall 2028.
PPS indicated that changes are forecast to generate about $10.2 million in net recurring savings across the two-year implementation period.
After one-time transition costs, around $7.1 million would still be available for reinvestment in receiving schools, transportation, and transition support, but the district stressed that further budget cuts will still be necessary.
Tidings Data Snapshot
What PPS Projects School Consolidation Would ChangeShare of schools above enrollment thresholds in 2031–32| School group | Recommendation | No change |
|---|---|---|
| K–5 schools above 360 students | 50% | 18% |
| Middle schools above 500 students | 47% | 13% |
These are district planning projections for sustainable school enrollment, not classroom-size targets. The board has not approved the recommendation.
Source: PPS / Superintendent’s Rightsizing Schools Recommendation, November 12, 2026, executive summaryDailyTidings.com
Which Portland Schools Would Close and Which Were Spared After Community Feedback
The proposed closures are in three district regions:
- North region — Beach, Peninsula and Sabin elementary schools would close in fall 2027, with students transferring to nearby schools.
- Northeast — Irvington and Rose City Park are proposed for closure. Beverly Cleary and Irvington would initially combine in the Irvington building, before the merged school community moves into the reopened Beverly Cleary building in 2028. Rose City Park would also close that year.
- Southeast Portland — Buckman and Creston would close in 2027, followed by Lewis, Marysville and Woodmere in 2028.
The revised recommendation is smaller than the two earlier scenarios, which proposed closing 14 and 11 schools respectively. Sellwood Middle School, James John, Maplewood and Stephenson were spared after the community submitted feedback.
Changes Extend Beyond School Closures Ahead of December 15 Vote
Other proposed changes include converting seven K–8 schools to K–5 elementary schools, with middle-grade students going to nearby middle schools.
The total number of available dual-language seats will remain unchanged and specialized services for students with disabilities will be maintained, but:
- Spanish Dual Language Immersion programs would be consolidated from nine elementary pathways into four regional hubs.
- Mandarin programs would be reduced from three pathways to two.
The superintendent will present the recommendation to the school board on November 17. Community listening sessions are scheduled for November 19 and December 3, with an information session on November 21, and the board is expected to make its final decision on December 15, 2026.
Meeting details and updates are available on the PPS rightsizing calendar.
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