As former Portland educators and parents of Portland Public Schools students, we value education. We are strongly opposed to granting school fiscal autonomy on Question 5. Current teachers are thanking us for saying what they cannot.

The school board already has autonomy to allocate available funds. The City Council is elected to weigh the needs of all departments against overall taxes residents can handle.

No data says that school fiscal autonomy creates better student outcomes. What matters is where money is spent. The school district’s central office has increased school taxes faster than inflation, but that rarely makes it to the classroom because spending has gone to administrative roles.

Given toxic politics, a failed audit and student protests, it’s clear they need more oversight, not less!

Please keep our school strong by keeping checks and balances in place. Vote “no” on Question 5!

Eli Small
former teacher
Tenney Augur
former teacher and union representative
Portland