Oregon Lawmakers Question PPS Spending Priorities, Assert State Funds Adequate

Oregon lawmakers representing the Portland area challenge the claims made by Portland Public Schools (PPS) that they cannot afford to meet the demands of the teachers' union. The lawmakers argue that the state allocated a record amount of money to public education in the current budget, increasing funding by 10%. They point out that PPS spends less on classroom instruction and more on administration compared to comparable districts. The lawmakers call on the PPS school board to step into the bargaining process and address the issues at hand. Meanwhile, thousands of Portland teachers marched to City Hall to show their support for smaller class sizes and more resources.