Education for a Better Education: A Civics Guide for PPS

This page serves as an index to a series of wiki pages within SunshinePPS meant to share key information about the governmental structure within the Portland Public School District. These pages include information on the Board of Education, its associated committees, and interest groups. These pages are a part of an Intern Project for the Center for Transparent Analysis and Policy, meant to provide resources to advocate for a better education more effectively. These pages are living documents, allowing others within Sunshine PPS to add and edit information as the system evolves or new information becomes available. Below are the links and a brief description of each page.

Governmental Structure

The following pages are dedicated to explaining how the PPS administration and the Board of Education function, including relevant procedures.

Power at PPS

A guide to understanding the different roles between the Board of Education and the Superintendent, and their ability to effect district-wide policy.

Board Policies and Administrative Directives

Outlines the policy procedure of Board Policies and Administrative Directives, including an infographic of how a board policy gets adopted by the Board.

School Board Zones

Description of the seven designated zones of PPS. Each school board member must reside in each zone.

PPS Elections

Contains information on how District-wide elections occur, including elections for the Board of Education, General Obligation Bonds, and Option Levies.

Board of Education Meetings

The following pages are guides for all Board of Education meetings, including committee meetings. In addition, there is a page dedicated to understanding what makes for the most effective public comment.

Regular Board Meetings Explained

The starting point to understanding how a board meeting functions, including a step-by-step guide to both the procedure and the people involved in these meetings.

Board Special Session Explained

Explains both the Work and Business Sessions of the Board of Education.

Board Committee Meetings Explained

Outlines the procedure and those involved in all board committee meetings.

Audit Committee

Explains the purpose and responsibilities of the Audit Committee as well as how community members are appointed to the committee.

Policy Committee

Explains the purpose of the Policy Committee as well as how draft policies are created and discussed within the committee.

Facilities Improvement Oversight Committee

Explains general information for the Facilities Improvement Oversight Committee.

Tips for Effective Public Comment

Utilizes political science research and information on the PPS Board of Education's procedure with public comments to provide helpful tips for the most effective public comment.

Committees with Community Involvement

The following pages are meant to serve as a list of committees that do not directly report to the Board of Education, but are associated with the district.

Board-Related Committees

Outlines the five board-related committees that do not directly report to the board and are made up exclusively of community members.

District-Wide Parent & Family Advisory Committees

Explains the purpose and protocol of the Special Education Advisory Council, the English Language Learner Advisory Council, and the Talented & Gifted Advisory Council.

Resources/Organizations for Advocacy

These pages focus on organizations and non-profits not directly related to PPS, but are associated with public education in Portland.

PPS Unions

Lists and explains all Unions affiliated and that have agreements with PPS.

Advocacy Organizations outside of the District

A collection of PPS-related non-profits and advocacy organizations dedicated to education-related community outreach in PPS. This includes PTAs and fundraising non-profits.

The Office of Family & Community Engagement

Explains this PPS department that is in charge of the Multilingual Community Agents and the Family Advisory Committee on Education.