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Board adopts 2025–26 school calendar; community leaders urge urgency on Center for Black Student Excellence
Summary
The board approved the 2025–26 school calendar 7-0. During public comment at the calendar item community leaders pressed the district to accelerate work on the Center for Black Student Excellence (CBSE).
The Portland Public Schools Board of Education on Feb. 18 approved the 2025–26 district calendar (resolution 7,050) by a 7-0 vote with the student representative indicating an unofficial yes.
During the public comment period tied to the calendar item, community leaders representing the Center for Black Student Excellence urged the board to accelerate implementation of the CBSE, a promised center and initiative funded in past bond planning. "This is no time to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism," said Kelly Thornladd, a CBSE board member, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Executive director Bahia Overton told the board the community has a plan, standards and evidence‑based criteria and said the district must move with urgency to redress longstanding disparities in outcomes for Black students.
Board members acknowledged the testimony and said the district has heard the community and will continue work on the item alongside calendar business. The calendar resolution passed without amendment.
No additional action on CBSE was taken at the meeting; board members and testimony urged faster action and clearer milestones ahead of any future bond or capital planning.
