Monday, August 9, 2010

Fewer teachers, but few teacher layoffs, for Portland Public Schools | OregonLive.com

Fewer teachers, but few teacher layoffs, for Portland Public Schools | OregonLive.com

Fewer teachers, but few teacher layoffs, for Portland Public Schools

Published: Monday, August 09, 2010, 2:31 PM Updated: Monday, August 09, 2010, 2:53 PM
Portland schools have cut roughly 120 teaching positions to balance the district budget, but retirements and resignations created enough vacancies that nearly every teacher who lost his or her position will get another teaching assignment in Portland this fall, district leaders say.

At this point, among teachers who had permanent teaching positions last year, only a handful of music teachers and one or two career-technical teachers are in serious jeopardy of being laid off, district officials told principals in a memo issued Friday.


In fact, in high-demand areas such as language immersion, counseling, Spanish and special education, the district plans to hire teachers this month.

Music is the biggest trouble spot, for teachers trying to keep their jobs and for schools trying to find the right match. An experienced music teacher whose job is eliminated is eligible to claim a music teaching job in another school. But the difference between what's needed to excel at teaching elementary vocal music versus to lead a high school band can be considerable.

As of Friday, the school district's human resources department had 54 teachers who had lost their


Hard work turns around Bridger School of Southeast Portland

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By Betsy Hammond, The Oregonian

August 06, 2010, 12:10PM
The small Portland school, serving students living east of SE 82nd Avenue between Stark Street and Powell Boulvevard, found itself faced with a largely poor student body, many of whom speak Spanish, Chinese, Vietmanese or Chuukese at home. The school wasn't serving them well -- but boy, did that change last year. Full story »

Beaverton's Southridge High among success stories in hitting federal 'No Child Left Behind' targets

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By Melissa Navas, The Oregonian

August 06, 2010, 12:00PM
In Hillsboro and Forest Grove school districts, success rates remain flat compared with last year. Full story »

Five Oaks teacher runs 216-mile relay -- solo -- in honor of former Beaverton student with leukemia

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By Eric Florip, The Oregonian

August 06, 2010, 9:00AM
Tigard resident Eric Salkeld runs the Cascade Lakes Relay to raise money for Children's Cancer Association, a charity picked by 14-year-old Levi Seed. Full story »
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North Clackamas, Oregon City school districts raise student fees to cope with budget problems

By Nicole Dungca, The Oregonian

August 06, 2010, 8:00AM
The North Clackamas and Oregon City school districts have increased student athletic fees for the 2010-11 school year, saying the new rates are still lower than those at a number of area schools. Full story »