OPB’s First Look: PPS eyes 10 school closures

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Good morning, Northwest.

After experiencing an 11% decline in enrollment since 2019, Portland Public Schools proposed yesterday closing 10 elementary schools over two years, starting in fall 2027. OPB’s Elizabeth Miller has the details.

Plus, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said earlier today that U.S. air travel should fully recover from the longest nationwide ground stop in 25 years by the end of tomorrow. OPB reporters visited Portland International Airport yesterday to learn how the ground stop affected passengers.

Here’s your First Look at Saturday’s news.

— Winston Szeto

Top story

Portland Public Schools superintendent recommends 10 schools for closure

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong is proposing closing 10 Portland elementary schools over a two-year period, starting in fall 2027.

Armstrong’s recommended plan is a revision of the district’s earlier proposals, which would have closed up to 14 schools.

If the school board approves Armstrong’s recommendation, five schools would close in fall 2027, and the remaining five schools would close in fall 2028.

Under the proposal, other changes going into effect at that time would include several dual language immersion program moves, as well as the conversion of six K-8 schools to become K-5s. (Elizabeth Miller)

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3 things to know

1. The Federal Aviation Administration canceled all flights in Oregon and 47 other contiguous U.S. states yesterday afternoon, saying communications problems at regional air traffic control centers were a factor in the mass flight cancellations. The order was lifted shortly before 6 p.m. (Troy Brynelson, Riley Martinez and Courtney Sherwood)
2. The Oregon Coast is experiencing big waves and wind, which is expected to last through the weekend. A high surf warning is in effect for the central coast today through noon. (Rachael McDonald, KLCC)
3. Oregon Senate Democrats selected Sen. Anthony Broadman, of Bend, as their new caucus leader as they head into a long legislative session. (Lauren Dake)

Northwest headlines

• PPS school board starts independent ‘fact-finding’ effort into Signal reports (Natalie Pate)
• Chrysanthemums transform Portland’s Lan Su Chinese Garden into a vibrant landscape during dark fall weeks (Julia Reihs)
• Vancouver City Council fires City Manager Lon Pluckhahn (Erik Neumann)
• Emeralds and Medford pull the plug on stadium proposal (Justin Higginbottom, JPR)
• Clark County farmers could lose critical conservation district support if funding effort fails (Elena Neale-Sacks)
• Washington AG hires outside firm to defend ban on transgender girls in girls’ school sports (Amy Radil, KUOW)
• Oregon wildlife officials report growing numbers of waterfowl with bird flu across the Willamette Valley (Brian Bull, KLCC)
• Trail Blazers beat Kings 120-107 in NBA Cup play for third straight win (Associated Press)

One more look

Superabundant recipe: Savory persimmon-onion galette with miso caramel

A Fuyu is versatile, like a slightly spicy, less-sweet apple. Whereas an underripe or un-bletted Hachiya persimmon will turn your tongue to a roof tile, a Fuyu’s low astringency makes it ready to go right from the jump, as a crispy addition to salads and cheese boards, stewed into chutneys or roasted like a root vegetable.

And when it eventually languishes long enough to go all soft and silky on the insides, it’s ready for cakes, jellies and confections.

Here, persimmons share the spotlight with onions for a savory galette glazed with buttery miso caramel — find the recipe in this week’s Superabundant newsletter. (Heather Arndt Anderson)

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