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Superintendent outlines immediate steps and bond request to support Native students
Summary
Superintendent Armstrong announced immediate and proposed actions to support American Indian and Alaska Native students, including tutoring hours, a tribal liaison hire and a $1.1 million bond allocation for curriculum resources; Native students and families urged a Native Student Success Center and inclusion of the request in the bond.
Superintendent Armstrong told the Portland Public Schools board on Jan. 7 that the district will take immediate steps to expand services and cultural supports for American Indian and Alaska Native students and families, and said some items could be advanced outside of capital funding.
"We can take action immediately," Superintendent Armstrong said, describing a multipronged approach that includes added tutoring hours, dedicated curriculum funding proposed for the 2025 bond and a planned tribal liaison position.
Why it matters
Portland Public Schools identifies roughly 1,771 students as American Indian and 183 as Alaska Native — more than 1,900 students total by the district's count, Armstrong said. Community members and Native student leaders testified that those students face cultural isolation and asked the board to make a binding commitment in the upcoming bond to create a Native Student Success Center.
What the district announced
- Ongoing academic partnership and allocation: the district will continue to dedicate $600,000 (current budget line) with community partners for programs prioritizing Native students, with particular outreach in the Cully neighborhood.
- Immediate academic support: district staff announced funding to provide additional tutoring hours immediately; the superintendent said a parent committee would have input on allocation of those hours.
- Bond proposal line item: the proposed 2025 bond package earmarks $1.1 million to support curriculum resources and portfolio projects that celebrate and preserve Native history and culture; Armstrong said those resources would be developed with community input.
- Tribal liaison: the district plans to hire a tribal liaison who would begin July 1, 2025, to strengthen relationships and help co-design learning and family engagement strategies.
- Community meeting: the superintendent invited community members to a convening on March 3, 2025, at 6 p.m. to discuss a timeline and next steps.
What community members asked for
Student leaders and parents urged a dedicated Native Student Success Center — a physical and programmatic hub to coordinate academic supports, cultural programming and services. Speakers included Native students and parents who described cultural isolation and asked the board to place a line item in the bond to ensure long-term investment and accountability.
Board and staff response
Board members signaled support for immediate action and asked staff to clarify which items can be implemented now through the operating budget and which would require bond funding. Superintendent Armstrong said many of the non‑capital items (tutoring, liaison, curriculum development) could be started immediately and would not require bond funds; she also said capital requests (dedicated center space) would need board direction and more detailed planning.
What happens next
District staff were directed to meet with tribal/community leaders and return to the board with a clearer plan, timelines and any budget impacts. The board requested regular progress reports, and the superintendent said she would pursue initial hires and program funding in the current fiscal year where possible.
Ending
Native students and community leaders asked the board for a durable commitment. Board members said they would continue the conversation and requested written timelines and staffing details from district staff.
