Portland schools outline Parent University and community engagement sessions starting March 12

Portland Public Schools staff presented the upcoming Parent University and community engagement schedule and discussed how the district will present complex topics concisely to attendees.

Grace Valenzuela, executive director for family engagement and community partnerships, outlined a Parent University kickoff on March 12 (legislative advocacy 101, presented by Betsy Sweet of Moose Ridge Associates), a March 18 panel on advocacy campaigns featuring Dusty Sprague, Heather Martin and Julie Schirmer, and an April 2 session with Amy Johnson (CPARE/MEPRI). Valenzuela said all sessions will be held at Deering High School, 6–7:30 p.m., and the district will record sessions and post them to the ParentU website.

Board members and staff discussed content for the King Middle School community engagement session (Wednesday, March 11, 6:00–7:30 p.m.). The group agreed to prepare brief one‑slide overviews for each major topic (budget primer, common FAQ items, middle‑school resolution, and facility/infrastructure concerns) to leave most of the session time for public questions. Chair Sarah Lentz and Superintendent Scallon emphasized the need for clear, plain‑language materials and on‑site translation; staff said an FAQ is being adapted for clarity and communications will post updates online.

Board members debated facilitation and whether to split attendees into topic rotations if turnout merits it; with only two board members signed up so far for the King session, several said keeping the group whole and taking notes would be preferable. The committee asked staff to bring printed FAQs and brief slides and to track public questions online so the FAQ can be expanded.

No formal decisions beyond logistics were recorded; staff will finalize slides and FAQs before the engagement sessions and post materials online.