State's schools poised to get $50 million reading grant Oregon is on track to get a $50 million federal grant to help high-poverty, low-performing elementary schools do a better job teaching reading -- and, by extension, to upgrade elementary school reading lessons throughout Oregon. Oregonian 9.24.02

Portland Teachers Raise Strike Threat Portland teachers have raised the threat of a strike as they continue to push the state’s largest school district for wage raises and healthcare coverage. KGW 9/25/02

New school custodians get job done, for most part Workers from a private firm earned satisfactory grades in their first month cleaning Portland schools, although problems have surfaced in many buildings, educators across the city say. Oregonian 9/23/02

Private school enrollment dips Enrollment in Portland-area private schools has dipped this fall, reversing an earlier boom, primarily because the economic slump has made tuition unaffordable for some families. Oregonian 9/23/02

Risk-taking pays off at school Judy Bryant stands in the hallway at Humboldt Elementary School and is positive that learning is happening in every classroom. Five years ago, the principal arrived at the North Portland school amid turmoil and failure. Oregonian 9.15.02

Superintendent gets job security Jim Scherzinger will not get a raise, but he will get more job security, the Portland School Board decided 6-0 Monday night. The board approved a contract for Scherzinger to serve as superintendent of the 53,000-student district for an indefinite term. Scherzinger will earn $150,000 a year and will be eligible for a performance bonus of as much as $25,000 this school year. Oregonian 9.10.02

Oregon students' scores up In every grade and in nearly every subject tested, Oregon students registered steady gains this year in meeting the academic targets laid out for them in the past decade. Oregonian 9.6.02

Crisis demands desperate measures The Portland school district is in a funding crisis. Our top priority is educating children, a priority made more difficult by this crisis. More than ever, it is critical that we manage and use school property to put the most resources into the classroom. By Karla Wentzel, opinion in Portland Tribune 9.6.02

Jefferson opens with high hopes Jefferson High School brimmed with optimism Wednesday as a new principal thanked students for sticking with a troubled school that dozens of families abandoned this summer. Smack in the center of the school excitement was Shereen Sherman. Oregonian 9.5.02

Classrooms In Crisis: Will Portland Teachers Walk? The first day of school for students in Oregon's largest school district comes with the growing threat of a teacher strike. The uncertainty in the air is almost palpable. Dwindling budgets, the threat of a shorter school year, and the "S" question contribute to the feeling. KATU 9.4.02

Schools' new custodians scramble to finish workLabor Day weekend signals the start of the school year, yet in Portland schools, some cleaning usually finished before school starts won't be completed in time this year. KATU 8.30.02

School district discards union custodians For custodians of Portland Public Schools (PPS), the July 8 school board meeting was the end. After two hours of testimony and debate that ranged from spirited and emotional to bitter and personal, the board voted 5 to 2 to fire its 300 custodians and contract out their jobs to Portland Habilitation Center (PHC). The Alliance mid-August.