It’s hard to find agreement on much that ails the Portland Public Schools, but few would disagree that the district is deeply troubled. Saddled with the poor governance of a chronically discordant board, lagging achievement, deteriorating internal systems, discipline issues, and waning public confidence, it’s hard to see how we will ever return to schools that Portland can be proud of supporting. http://www.wweek.com/news/2016/11/01/portland-school-board-meets-in-group-therapy-wrestles-with-distrust/

One thing is for sure, there is no hope of turning the district around without strong leadership, and that makes recent reports about the inexperienced processes of  the PPS school board pretty disturbing. They are all over the place, new and don't get along!

The national search firm hired to assist the school board find a new leader is problematic. Again big money for an outside consultant who talks down to people and reminds us of their strict and short timelined procedure. This kind of protocol always leaves the most important voices out. Thus Portland Parent Union must push back by expressing the distrust of this process. We have witnessed and been a part of an interview that felt unsafe, discriminatory and exclusive. We gave advice as to how they can have more voices that was rejected! 

We strongly expressed how the interviews and the listening session are not going to have the voices of the families of color, families in poverty and other marginalized groups. http://www.pps.net/Page/9866 (look at survey)

If PPS is serious about recovering its school system, its search for a leader must slow down and be inclusive of communities and families. We grow tired of PPS's status quo positions. The board needs other stakeholders beside themselves to help choose a superintendent. Teachers, parents, students, and community leaders must be part of this process. We ask not to do business as usual?

Now PPS is home to a divided community and a weak board wading in rough political waters. Some activists are asking for a slowdown and to rethink this process, some of us feel the process is discriminatory.

The argument for a new process says the search has not got off to a good start it was poorly done.  Portland deserves better. PLEASE SIGN THIS AND GIVE YOUR EXPERIENCE OR OPINION ABOUT THIS PROCESS. PLEASE FILE A COMPLAINT IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE? .   http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/know.html