Tragedy: PPS betrays parents, students, common sense

March 16, 8:53 PMPortland Progressive ExaminerMichael Stone

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Portland Public Schools is trying to close LEP, a beloved and successful charter high school, under suspicious and questionable circumstances. Parents, students, and faculty are outraged. The community should take notice and speak out. The children of Portland are pawns in a cynical and corrupt game ran and rigged by PPS. It is wrong.

By any measure LEP (Leadership and Entrepreneurship Charter High School) is a success. LEP is the exception: LEP works. And Portland Public wants to shut LEP down. Why?

The facts are ugly, and place PPS in a compromising position. PPS has been withholding funds from LEP. PPS is deliberately withholding money paid by taxpayers that is meant to pass through their district and support LEP's impoverished students’ education. Lack of full state funding for poverty students; Withholding School Improvement money; and, Withholding foster care funding; are just a few of the tactics PPS has used to sabotage LEP. Indeed, PPS has gone so far as to deny bus passes and reduced lunch to the students at LEP. All in all the district is withholding well over half a million dollars from LEP.

LEP High serves about 250 students from 20 area public schools. LEP helps students who haven't been successful in other schools. 65% of the students live at the poverty level,; 20% of the students have learning disabilities; all have hopes of attending college.

LEP also attracts students with a keen interest in business and entrepreneurship. Project-based learning, small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and an emphasis on leadership skills makes LEP one of the finest high schools in Oregon, or the country.

At LEP Students are engaged. The faculty is passionate and committed. At LEP both parents and students are involved. LEP is a model of what a good school should be. So why is PPS trying to close LEP?

The district points to financial problems, but sources inside the system note the district is being disingenuous. The district has been withholding state funds from LEP all along. In addition, the district first promised and then refused to help LEP find a location, all the while PPS has buildings which sit empty. The real problem may be that PPS wants LEP to fail. The problem may be PPS has no love for charter schools. Indeed, it may be only byzantine, beaureacratic politics that will shut down a thriving, successful school.

Spread the word by letting people know that this occurs right here in Portland and that now is the time to help accomplish what is right for our youth.

Flood the PPS Board member’s e-mails and voice lines with messages supporting the school’s charter renewal.

Show up at the March 30th board meeting at 7PM (501 N. Dixon St.) when they will officially vote, and bring everyone possible to show wide-spread support for LEP, and quality education.

Write other political leaders to gain help on these issues and put pressure on the school board. Some people might include Mayor Sam Adams, Governor Kulongoski, Senators Wyden and Merkley, and the Portland City Commissioners.

Flood the media with requests to help expose these issues. The more media exposure to these underlying issues the better.