In November of 2016, Portland voters will decide whether to rebuild Benson Tech High School, as well as Madison and Lincoln. Planning is underway with the Portland Public Schools (PPS) District on a design planning committee, and an  architectural firm has been chosen for the design.

Interestingly, PPS see the rebuild of Benson Tech as an opportunity to combine eight other and possibly a ninth alternative high school program on the same campus. This is a unique development that is the product of PPS moving eight alternative programs on to the school campus in the past several years while limiting the enrollment of Benson Tech students.

Currently, there is no space to expand Benson Tech enrollment without moving out the alternative programs now also housed on campus. We are unsure of the true intent of those who first voted to put Benson Tech on the rebuild list, but this is surely a very different design to consider as this combined enrollment could exceed 3,000 students for the campus.

PPS has already begun construction on modernization projects at Franklin and Roosevelt high schools, with construction anticipated to begin at Grant High School in 2017.

For more information on the PPS School Building Improvement Bond, projects under consideration and updates on projects in construction, visit http://www.pps.k12.or.us/bond/index.htm.