This in from Mike Verbout, RHS advocate, who's concerned about Roosevelt High and the coming high school closures.

Dear Neighbors and Friends:
This is a pivotal time in Portland’s history.  Parks, open-spaces, and strong public schools have been the cornerstone of the strength and quality of the city for a century.  And High Schools have been a defining, essential element of Portland’s distinctive neighborhoods.

Portland Public Schools will visit Roosevelt HS on Wednesday, December 2nd at 6:30 p.m. Elected officials and professional staff from PPS will outline plans for the next generation of Portland’s High Schools.  What schools will look like in the future and the critrea used to identify the 2 to 3 high schools that will be closed will likely be the main discussion points.

There are many reasons to care and to participate in this forum. Perhaps the number one reason to be there is so that we, as a city of many diverse neighborhoods, make a legacy decision with as much considered thought and input as possible.  It is important that we do not make a rash, short-term decision about Roosevelt that can lead to difficult-to-reverse consequences.

Consider:

·        Roosevelt has made considerable strides in many areas of
operation recently, including improvements and significant progress in
the classroom, the level of community support, and the consequent
improvements in facility, sports, arts, and in the many ways that engage
high school students – and lead to reasons to celebrate as a
community.

·        The above progress has occurred without the full strength of our
neighborhood.  Many families have chosen to take advantage of
Portland’s open enrollment policy and chosen different paths for
high school.  Now, while momentum is at a very high level, it is a very
good time to ask our families with school-aged children to consider
putting their shoulder into their neighborhood high school - Roosevelt.

Even if you do not have school-aged children, you are still very wise to pay
attention.

·        Per capita income, home and real estate values, local purchases
of goods and services, population/settlement rates, all are 25-40%
higher in neighborhoods with resident high schools than those without.
Essentially, any community economic development strategy has a strong
neighborhood school system as one of the core strategies.

And – as the District considers a consolidation to save money and
improve their financial position – evidence is not clear that it will
have this effect at all:

·        Labor costs could actually go up – even while the number of jobs
may go down slightly.  Larger high schools will require more specialized
staff and could strengthen the bargaining power of unions.

·        Transportation costs will go up as students and families will
need to travel farther to get to regional high schools.  Costs to the
District to provide transportation are always ultimately borne by the
taxpayer.

·        Vandalism will happen more frequently and more extensively in
areas with closed and shuttered buildings –

·        And while the consolidation option will require newer, upgraded
buildings – the broad-based support necessary to pass a school’s
bond levy is likely to wane.

Roosevelt High School is revitalizing right before our eyes.  Now is the time to celebrate achievments, seize the momentum and support our school.  Roosevelt deserves to remain open.  North Portland deserves to have it's own high school.  Our students deserve to have a school that they can attend that reflects the culture of their neighborhood and is easy and convenient to get to.

Please join us on December 2 at 6:30 p.m.at Roosevelt to make your voice known.
 
Wayne Abbott
RHS Class 1966
Chairman RHS Development Group