PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Portland Public Schools (PPS) is facing a risk of mid-year budget cuts because its proposed plan for 2026-2027 is “extremely optimistic” on the cost of employee pay increases, according to a new report discussed by the board Monday night.
In April, Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong presented her plan to close a $56 million budget gap for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. She told board members and the public that, under the current state funding system, more cuts can be expected in 2027, as well.
“Based on current available data, we are facing another deficit of more than $65 million for the 27-28 school year. This is not a one-time issue; it’s ongoing,” Armstrong said April 28…