501 N. Dixon St•Portland, OR 97227•Ph (503) 916-2222•Fx
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Since 2012, PPS has completed over 1100 health & safety & modernization projects that have improved every school in the district. This work on our aging school buildings has improved water quality, and provided security upgrades, new roofs, asbestos & radon remediation, lead paint stabilization, new fire alarms and sprinklers, more accessibility and seismic retrofits.
Nine schools: Benson, Franklin, Grant, McDaniel, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Kellogg MS, Faubion PK-8 and the new Multiple Pathways to Graduation program building have been modernized or rebuilt. A new Jefferson begins construction in 2026 and design work is underway on new Cleveland & Ida B. Wells high schools. A new School Improvement Bond is on the May 20th, 2025 ballot.
View the interactive Bond Program Map that allows you to see all the projects PPS has done to date. You can sort by school, the type of work done and lots more.
Planning is underway for the modernization of both Cleveland & Ida B. Wells High Schools. Design and pre-construction work is ongoing for the modernization of the historic Jefferson High School. Ongoing work on health, safety and infrastructure projects has made significant improvements to the quality of dozens of schools. New classroom technology projects are in process at dozens of schools. Roofing, seismic, and HVAC projects are improving several schools and Harrison Park is the final stage of its transformation into an upgraded middle school.
An all-new Jefferson High School will begin construction in 2026 and will take place in phases over a four-year period. The new school will feature specialized instructional spaces for Jeff’s unique CTE programs. Other highlights include a new Jefferson theater, a centrally located student commons, plus dedicated spaces for local community organizations.
Funding from the 2025 Bond will fund construction of A new four-story Cleveland High School to be built on the current school site. The building will be organized into two wings, with classrooms, labs, gyms and performing arts spaces. These wings frame a secure outdoor courtyard at the heart of the school.
Funding from the 2025 Bond will fund construction of a new Ida B. Wells High School. The exciting new design will include A 500-Seat Theater, an upgraded Gym and an Auxiliary Gym, State-of-the-Art CTE Classrooms, and a vibrant Commons Space at the heart of the school. Site upgrades will include new turf athletic fields, tennis courts, accessible walking paths.
Building improvement projects have touched every school in the District with water quality improvements, security upgrades, new roofs, asbestos and radon remediation, new fire alarms & sprinklers, ADA improvements, heating & cooling system upgrades and seismic retrofits.
Improving the seismic safety of PPS buildings is an important component of the School Building Improvement program and a priority for the District. The majority of PPS schools were built before WWII at a time when knowledge and concerns about seismic safety were very different from today.
The School Building Improvement Bond Program has completely or partially replaced roofs at 51 schools so far. These new roofs have improved seismic safety while increasing the longevity of the building, improving energy efficiency, indoor air quality and reducing operating costs.
Improved accessibility to schools and classrooms for students, teachers, and visitors with disabilities is a priority for the School Building Improvement Bond Program. The work includes individual school improvement projects and full accessibility upgrades in our modernization projects.
The Bond Accountability Committee (BAC) communicates key information related to the bond program to the School Board, public groups, organizations and stakeholders.
The next regularly scheduled BAC meeting is slated for Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025, from 5:30PM - 8:00PM. This meeting will be in person (location TBD). It can be streamed online at PPS Bond Modernization YouTube Channel.
Significant community engagement is a priority as we rebuild our schools. Public Design Workshops continue to provide students and school communities the opportunity to help shape the designs of their new school. Design Advisory Groups and Planning Committees, composed of students, families and community stakeholders also provide vital feedback for the PPS Design Teams. View the Grant Modernization Public Engagement Video.
The 1.2 billion-dollar 2020 School Bond allows PPS to continue the vital work of improving our aging school buildings in several key areas as well as upgrading important educational infrastructure issues. For details about the 2020 projects visit this page.
The $790 million, May 2017 Health Safety and Modernization Bond modernizes or rebuilds three high schools and one middle school and at least $150 million is dedicated toward resolving health and safety concerns at schools across the district.
The now completed $482 million, 2012 School Building Improvement Bond modernized three high schools, rebuilt one K-8 school and provided seismic improvements, science classroom upgrades, increased accessibility, and new roof projects at 51 schools.
For more information about school building improvement bond projects,
email schoolmodernization@pps.net
or call us at 503-916-2222