Portland school board adopts draft “ABCs” work plan, prioritizes Albina projects, boundaries and budget

The Portland Public Schools Board of Education opened a July work session to begin shaping a one-year work plan focused on a short list of priorities, with members and Superintendent Dr. Armstrong outlining seven areas for the 2025–26 school year and scheduling follow-up meetings before an Aug. 19 retreat. The board did not take formal action at the work session.

Board Chair said the goal was to “focus on 3 things” well rather than spread attention across many items, and she framed staff and board work under a compact, alphabetized list intended to guide the year. Superintendent Dr. Armstrong presented the district’s draft priorities and asked the board to weigh in on the items and the proposed framing.

The draft work plan — presented by Dr. Armstrong as items a through e — lists seven priority clusters: the Albina projects (including building relocations, Jefferson High School, Tubman and the Center for Black Student Excellence); a districtwide boundaries and enrollment framework with emphasis on community voice; a strategic budget…