Portland high school students may have less free time on their hands under budget changes proposed Monday evening.
Portland Public Schools could add 58 teachers to high schools, under a revised budget proposal. It means spending roughly $3.3 million more on high schools.
Communications director Robb Cowie says it would fill most of the holes in the eight-period schedule.
"That would give every comprehensive and focus school in Portland Public Schools the ability to provide high school students with at least seven classes," Cowie says.
The additional high school positions would come from several areas: a reduction in non-teaching jobs in the high schools; scaling back the central office; and having fewer teaching jobs held in reserve for unexpected enrollment spikes in the fall.
The district says committing teachers early suggests a policy change. If fall enrollment plays out in an unexpected way, the district may move teachers out of one school and into another in September. A practice Portland Public has avoided in the past.
