Portland Public Schools has reached a tentative agreement with its teachers union, likely opening the door for in-person instruction in Oregon’s largest school district in early April.
The deal still needs the approval of the Portland Association of Teachers membership and the district’s school board.
Portland Public Schools have been closed to in-person learning since March 2020.
Rob Manning / OPB
“I am grateful that as a result of these discussions, as well as the input and feedback from families, we have a strong plan for safely returning students to schools,” said PPS Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero in a statement issued at 12:43 A.M., Monday. “Our teams have been diligent, thoughtful and thorough in planning for the reopening of our schools. It is now time to welcome our students back in larger numbers.”
The PAT is not quoted in the statement from Portland Public Schools.
Under the agreement, the district’s youngest students — pre-k through first grade — would return on Thursday, April 1. Older elementary students would return the following Monday, April 5. Those dates are slightly later than the deadlines set by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, that elementary schools would reopen immediately after spring break, on March 29. PPS families who prefer distance learning can remain at home, the district said in a statement.
The tentative agreement also has middle and high school students returning April 19, as ordered by Brown.
More details are expected to be made public later this week.
This is a developing story. Watch for updates.