Portland schools present revised comprehensive plans for Jefferson, Cleveland and Ida B. Wells; coordinated schedule targets 2029 openings

Portland Public Schools staff on Sept. 16 presented revised comprehensive master plans for Jefferson, Cleveland and Ida B. Wells high schools and recommended taking the plans to the full Board of Education for approval in mid‑October.

The committee was shown scope, schedule and budget updates for all three projects. Staff said the three projects remain aligned to a coordinated timeline that starts design work in 2026 and anticipates students moving into new buildings for the 2029 school year. John Franco, senior chief of operations, told the committee, “we are very excited to, talk about this today and talk with you all about, the revised comprehensive plans.”

Why it matters: the three modernizations are among the largest single investments in the district’s 2025 bond program. Staff framed the revised plans around the board’s cost‑reduction framework and the district’s education specifications to reduce projected hard‑construction costs while keeping key program elements.

Key details - Jefferson: Staff described a redesigned building that reduces gross area to meet the board’s ed‑spec target and moves the main gym to the ground floor. Steve Efros, senior project manager, said design changes (including relocating a teen‑parent center into the main building and trimming theater footprint) helped achieve “just under $25,000,000” in savings from earlier cost estimates. Staff presented renderings of the entry, arts and athletics wings and said an early “fields package” is planned so some athletic spaces can be available before building construction. The Jefferson team noted continuing value‑engineering work and outside consulting support from Presidio to develop additional options for the board to consider. - Cleveland: Project managers reported the site’s constrained footprint and a plan that splits the new school into two four‑story structures to create a secure interior courtyard and more outdoor student space. The team said Cleveland’s stadium and field work will be completed ahead of the main building; the stadium is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and the main building in fall 2029. The district reported roughly $11,000,000 in savings overall after cost‑reduction adjustments and said a $15,000,000 allowance in the bond is earmarked for Powell Park field improvements associated with Cleveland’s athletic needs. - Ida B. Wells: Staff said Ida B. Wells’ revised design is close to the board’s 295,000‑square‑foot target and currently shows roughly $5,600,000 in savings from the prior plan. The team noted the project remains in value‑engineering; two recent contractor estimates came in higher than targets and staff said they are reconciling those numbers as part of the design‑development phase.

Unresolved issues and community concerns - Teen parent centers/health clinics: Directors asked about the board framework that limits teen‑parent centers to locations with a demonstrated need. In committee discussion staff described a districtwide evaluation process; Jefferson staff noted three current student users but said the district’s analysis considered future and community supports. Ida B. Wells staff said that school would include a health clinic space but no provider has been secured yet; Cleveland has a health‑provider agreement in place. - Seismic prioritization: Community members and advocates pressed the committee to prioritize seismic repairs. Meehan Brooks of Safe Structures told the committee, “The report is a sobering read,” and cited board resolution 7109 (passed in spring) as directing that funds first address the highest‑risk buildings for life‑safety retrofits. Safe Structures urged the district to present a clear prioritization and sequencing for critical seismic repairs so bond savings are not diverted away from lifesaving work.

Next steps and approvals Staff said the three comprehensive plans and presentation materials will go to the full board for approval on Oct. 14, and committee members were asked to provide final feedback so OSM can finalize documents. Project teams expect additional community engagement sessions in October and forthcoming cost updates and value‑engineering options for the board to review.

Taper: Staff emphasized continued estimating and value‑engineering work; committee members asked for more detail on clinical partners, how teen‑parent and health spaces might be flexibly used, and confirmation that cost‑savings options will not delay the coordinated schedule.