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 (Senior Director of Schools)
   These positions are called Senior Director of Schools and are organized by high school catchment enrollment area. The list of Area Senior Directors and schools they manage can be found on the web page for Office of School Performance.
4. 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, building administrator and then to the Special Education Administrator.  Family Engagement Liaisons Noel Sisk and Paulina Larenas (Spanish/English) are available to assist families throughout the process. To get in touch, please complete the Special Education Family Liaison form for support.

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. 

• Report to PPS using the Unified Complaint Form. 
• Complaints about discrimination may be reported directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR).

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 (503) 577-8095.