Despite the increase in school security concerns caused by a series of high-profile shootings, Portland Public Schools is not scheduled to begin spending approximately $5 million for safety improvements, which was approved by voters in May 2017, until late this summer.
That's more than two years after the funds were authorized.
The district notified parents of the construction schedule for the Secure School Project in a Dec. 17 email. The long timeline frustrates Morgan West, a Portland firefighter and the parent of three students at Beverly Cleary-Fernwood, a K-8 school in Southeast Portland. He also serves on that school's PTA safety committee. The funds are included in the $790 million Health Safety and Modernization Bond that was approved 19 months ago.
The district described the work to be done in the email.
"Student and staff safety is a primary concern for Portland Public Schools," read the email, which says work is expected to begin at multiple locations and continue through the 2019-20 school year.