1. United States
2. Ore.
3. Letter

Portland Public Schools must protect educational quality by prioritizing teacher retention and vital support services over deep budget cuts. The proposed elimination of 228 positions, including 69 support staff, 44 licensed educators, and 18 kindergarten assistants, threatens to severely undermine student learning environments. Increasing high school class sizes by cutting 20 teachers while slashing resources for struggling students is counterproductive. Alternative solutions preserving classroom resources and reasonable staff-to-student ratios should be urgently explored to uphold this community's commitment to accessible, high-quality public education for all children.