A “yes” vote on Question 5 will give power, efficiency and voice to our public school community.

Throughout this year’s school budget process, we witnessed how the City Council’s final vote undermined the democratic process by excluding and alienating the community members most affected by the results: the students and families within the Portland public school system.

The City Council directed the school board to eliminate $1 million from the 2022 schools budget and reallocate that money in order to resolve their own deficit. We, as the parents of children in the system and, therefore, the most at stake, struggled to participate and have our voices heard.

The system, as it stands, is designed to silence and shut us out of the political process. The slogan “Nothing about us without us” could not be more true and fitting today. Streamline the system and allow the voices of families and students to be heard.

Aoife Nugent
Portland