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  • Proposed General Obligation Bond Measure

    In May 2025 voters will have the opportunity to consider a bond measure which would fund Portland Public Schools. If the measure passes on May 20, the proposed 2025 bond measure would authorize a continuation of property taxes that would fund additional building, health, safety, and learning priorities in schools across the District.

    If passed by voters, what would the proposed bond measure fund?

     

  • The proposed bond measure package was informed by feedback from PPS families, students, staff, members of the community, and technical facilities assessments.

    Rebuilds and Modernizations

    • Renovate or replace Cleveland and Ida B. Wells (formerly Wilson) High Schools, and complete Jefferson High School.

    Education Materials, Technology, Physical Education, and Extracurricular Activities:

    • Provide comprehensive, culturally relevant, and up-to-date textbooks and curriculum materials.
    • Replace or provide student tablets and laptops to provide equitable access to classroom learning, and update classroom and District technology.
    • Upgrade athletic facilities, including Roosevelt, Lincoln (at West Sylvan), Franklin and Grant, and create athletic hub facilities at Jackson Middle School and on the Marshall campus.
    • Update physical education spaces and high school performing arts and theater facilities.

    Updates and Repairs to Aging Elementary and Middle Schools:

    • Establish a reserve fund for replacement of major systems (such as HVAC), and emergency and unplanned projects.
    • Prioritize seismic improvements at 8-10 schools that pose the greatest risk in a significant seismic event.
    • Utilize remaining funds — including any additional high school project cost savings — to update or replace leaking or deteriorating school roofs, mechanical systems (heating and cooling), electrical systems, plumbing systems, fire alarm and sprinkler updates, safety and security systems, elevator replacements, site upgrades, exterior enclosure upgrades, and other building repairs.

  • PROPOSED 2025 SCHOOL BOND PROJECTS

    Rebuilds and Modernizations

    $974 Million 1
     
    • Jefferson High School completion
    • Cleveland High School
    • Ida B. Wells High School
    • up to $100M
    • up to $442M
    • up to $432M

    Education Materials, Technology, Physical Education, Extracurricular Activities

    $321 Million
     
    • Technology
    • Curriculum
    • Athletics
    • Physical Education
    • $176M
    • $56M
    • $79M
    • $10M

    Updates and Repairs to Aging Elementary and Middle Schools

    $366 Million 2
     
    • Emergency, Major System Replacements, and Unplanned Projects Reserve Fund ($100M)
    • Seismic Improvements / Retrofits (8-10 schools)
    • Other Priority Updates, Repairs, and Replacements:
      • Roof Replacement and Exterior Enclosure Improvements
      • Electrical and Plumbing System Updates/Repairs
      • HVAC System Replacements or Major Repairs
      • Fire Alarm Upgrades, Safety and Security Improvements
      • New Elevators
      • Playground Equipment Replacement and Site Improvements

    Administration and Contingency

    $166.1 Million
    TOTAL
    $1,827,100,000
  • building exterior students reading on laptops Student reaching for door handle

  • If the measure is passed by voters, what would the proposed bond cost?

     

    The 2012 and 2017 bond measures were new property taxes passed by voters, for a combined property tax rate of $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Because the previous bonds’ property tax rates are decreasing — due to declining debt service — if voters pass the measure authorizing $1.827 billion in principal amount of general obligation bonds, the property tax rate would be approximately $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. The owner of a home assessed at $284,003 (the average assessed property value for residential property in the Portland Public Schools District) would pay approximately $59 per month.

    What happens if the measure does not pass?

     

    If the measure does not pass, the property tax rate would decrease to approximately $1.33 per $1,000 of assessed property value by fiscal year 2027 and continue to decline gradually to $0 upon final maturity of outstanding bonds in fiscal year 2046. The projects outlined above would not be completed as proposed.

    Accountability and Transparency

     

    PPS’s Bond Accountability Committee—an independent group of appointed community members—would review quarterly reports and audits of how the bond dollars are being spent, to provide accountability to the public until construction is complete.

    Previous bond-funded construction projects

     

    In 2012, 2017, and 2020, voters passed bond measures that authorized property taxes which funded projects at Portland Public Schools buildings, most of which were built over 75 years ago. The previous bonds measures have funded modernization and rebuilding projects that are completed or under construction, including:

    • Modernization of Roosevelt, Franklin, Grant, McDaniel (Madison), and Benson Polytechnic High Schools.
    • Rebuilding of Faubion PK-8, Kellogg Middle School, and Lincoln High School.
    • Master planning and design work to modernize Jefferson, Cleveland, and Ida B Wells High Schools.

    In addition, the previous bonds measures have funded projects at every school throughout the district that are completed or under construction, including:

    • Replacing plumbing and fixtures to remove lead from drinking water.
    • Removing or encapsulating exposed lead-based paint and asbestos.
    • Mitigating radon exposure
    • Repairing or replacing leaking, damaged, and rotting roofs with seismically strengthened roofs.
    • Upgrading fire alarm and sprinkler systems
    • Seismically retrofitting buildings to strengthen facilities for earthquakes.
    • Removing barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities on the main floor of every school.
    • Strengthening school safety and security.
    • Updating science labs at middle schools.
    • Enhancing technology.
    • New curriculum materials.

    2025 - 26 PPS Proposed Bond PDF
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    1 The high school project figures provided are project estimates less any funds allocated from the 2020 bond measure. Project estimates are preliminary and subject to change, and are based on rough order of magnitude cost estimates from the project teams. Several factors may influence these projections, including potential schedule delays, escalation changes, and tariff fluctuations. Additionally, the teams are actively reviewing project details to identify further cost-saving opportunities.

    2 Any additional high school project savings will go toward elementary and middle school projects.