About An Open Dialogue: Portland Parent Union and PPS Board of Education
With an introduction by Sheila Washington Warren,
Founder/Executive Director of PPU & Susan Anglada Bartley, PPS Educator
In October 2018, the Portland Public Schools Board of Education
adopted, by Resolution 5736, their priorities for 2018-19. According to
that text, “Portland Public Schools' vision is this: Every student, every
teacher, and every school succeeding. The school district's mission is
that every student by name is prepared for college, career and participation as
an active community member, regardless of race, income or zip code.”
Recently, the Portland Parent Union (PPU) invited the PPS Board of
Education to engage in an open dialogue about the community’s concerns
regarding the progress of the board’s goals via an open letter on Medium (https://medium.com/.)
Specifically, Sheila Washington Warren, Founder/Executive Director
of PPU and Susan Anglada Bartley, PPS Educator, expressed apprehension about
the disparity of educational opportunities for students on the East side versus
students on the West side of Portland. This RACE TALKS event will provide an
open forum—with an introduction by Warren and Bartley, for PPS Board members to
talk with students, parents, and concerned citizens, in facilitated discussion
groups and hear first-hand their concerns regarding equitable opportunities and
outcomes for all students.