from: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/news/3684.htm
The Portland School Board has asked Superintendent Carole Smith to explore an idea for the PPS High School System that was not among the options staff had analyzed: moving Benson High School and its career-technical program to the Jefferson High School campus.
At its work session Saturday on proposed changes to high schools, the school board weighed the benefits and trade-offs of having seven or eight community high schools – including the number of students enrolled in each, the range of electives to be offered and how the plan would be sustained in the face of potential state budget cuts in the future.
Board members also discussed the trade-offs of Benson High School remaining a ninth- through 12th-grade school, acknowledging that a strong comprehensive and career technical education (CTE) program at the campus would likely require the closure of up to three current neighborhood schools.
Director Martin Gonzalez proposed moving Benson’s districtwide career and technical focus program, which serves grades 9-12, to the Jefferson campus. He noted that Benson has been proven to work well, particularly for students of color.
A majority of the board directors in attendance asked staff to review this scenario and return with enrollment projections for a CTE focus school at the Jefferson campus. Staff will analyze enrollment projection with a neighborhood attendance boundary, and without one.
School board members also seek input from the community on the Benson-to-Jefferson scenario.
Board members at the work session included co-chairs Ruth Adkins and Trudy Sargent and directors Martin Gonzalez, Pam Knowles, Bobbie Regan and David Wynde. Director Dilafruz Williams and Student Representative Henry Johnson were not able to attend.
The school board is considering Superintendent Smith’s high school plan, which would create eight community comprehensive schools, convert the Marshall Campus into the site of a small focus school and have Benson shift to a half-time career-technical education center serving 11th- and 12th-grade students.
Opportunities for input
Community members will have an opportunity to provide input on the concept proposed at the board meeting, as well as Superintendent Smith’s proposal, at upcoming meetings:
* Districtwide community meeting, Tuesday, May 18, 7-9 p.m., at Roosevelt Campus, 6941 N. Central St.
* Community Meeting (co-sponsored by PTA) Saturday, May 22, 10 a.m. to noon, Jefferson High School, 5210 North Kerby Ave.
* Marshall community meeting, Thursday, May 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Marshall Campus, 3905 SE 91st Ave.