Portland Public Schools (PPS) began contract talks yesterday with the union representing its 3,150 teachers, counselors and school psychologists. Likely issues on the front burner are escalating health care premiums and (just so you know it's all about the children) increasing instruction time for students.
Translation: hold onto your wallet. And be careful!
PPS receives approximately $12,000 per student, even as they've axed librarian positions and "deferred maintenance" to the point that many of the buildings are essentially irreparable and will need to be replaced in the near future. That annoying, high-pitched whining sound you hear is PPS bemoaning their lack of funds.
