• Conflict Resolution

  • Best practices for reporting concerns at school

    During the school year, issues and/or concerns may develop for families, students or third parties relating to any number of issues, including their students’ schools or classrooms. It is best practice to attempt to resolve issues at the school level first, beginning with the classroom teacher. Below is the order in which issues may be escalated (including for special education).  Our family engagement and special education family engagement liaisons can help support families through this process.

    Steps to Resolution

    1. The classroom teacher
      Portland Public Schools believes that the best and most effective method for resolving conflicts is by starting with the classroom teacher first.

    2. The Principal and/or School Administrator
      If contacting your teacher doesn’t resolve the issue, it is recommended that families contact their principal or school administrator next. 

    3. The Principal Supervisor (Area Senior Director)
      These positions are called Area Senior Directors and are organized by high school catchment enrollment area. The list of Area Senior Directors and schools they manage can be found on the webpage for Office of School Performance.

    4. The Regional Superintendent
      Three Regional Superintendents supervise Area Senior Directors and their teams are listed in the staff link provided above. If your issue is not resolved by working with the Area Senior Director you can contact the Regional Superintendent, listed on the webpage for Office of School Performance.

    5. File a Complaint with PPS
      You may also file a complaint directly with the District using the Unified Complaint Form. More information below.
  • Resources & Special Considerations

    Family Engagement Liaisons

    PPS makes available Family Engagement Liaisons in order to help with resolution of issues. Liaisons may assist families in the resolution of issues, including meeting with school staff, and addressing classroom concerns. For more information about Family Engagement Liaisons, please contact:  Jeff Wiser.


    Special Education concerns

    Concerns about special education services may also be addressed first by contacting the student’s case manager and then to the Program Administrator.  Family Engagement Liaison Noel Sisk can assist families through this process.


    Discrimination complaints

    Any PPS employee, student, parent, community member, concerned citizen, or other individual may file a complaint of discrimination. Please see the options below for how to report a complaint of discrimination. 

  • Unified Complaint Form

    Portland Public Schools recommends the escalation of complaints as shown on this page under "Best practices for reporting concerns at school." The District also offers the use of the Unified Complaint Form in order for community members to submit complaints. 

    PPS Online
    Unified Complaint Form

     

    How are complaints handled by Portland Public Schools?

    As part of the complaint process, the person assigned to investigate (which may be the School Compliance Officer, school or district administrator) will ask all involved parties questions about what happened in order to understand and, when possible, try to resolve the matter. Once the investigator has concluded their fact finding, having gathered all the relevant information about what occurred, the investigator will provide a written response of findings. Unless a particular process has a different timeline, a final decision will be provided no later than 60 days from the initial complaint. Complaints may be filed at any time and may be filed by using the Unified Complaint form, emailing or calling the Complaint Coordinator at (971) 346-6372. Complaints of sexual harassment or discrimination may also call the Title IX Director at (503) 586-2646.

Types of Complaints

  • Discrimination or Bias

  • Workplace Harassment

  • Enrollment and Transfer

  • Educational Records

  • Division 22: Formal Complaint

  • Special Education

Contacts


Dr. Cheryl Proctor
Deputy Superintendent,Instruction & School Communities
Dr. Jon Franco
Chief of Schools
Liane O’Banion
Title IX Program Manager
(503) 568-2646
Jey Buno
Chief of Student Support Services
(503)278-2105
Eddie Reyes
Hate-Based Incident Response and Coordinator
(971) 346-6372
Marquita Guzman
504 Coordinator
(971)393-8633
Noelle Sisk
PPS Special Education Family Engagement Specialist
(503) 916-3723
Complaint Coordinator
(503) 916-3809
Judy Brennan
Director of Enrollment & Transfer
(503)916-2000 x71168