PPS: Harriet Tubman Middle School Rebuild Will Not Replace Any Existing Elementary School

Friday, Portland Public School (PPS) released the following statement on the future relocation of Harriet Tubman Middle School:

“As plans are underway to widen the Interstate 5 freeway–moving even closer to the current site of Harriet Tubman Middle School–this project will increase the significant negative impacts on the Harriet Tubman school community. We value the voices of our families and students. We know that authentic engagement with families is an integral building block to thriving schools. We deeply appreciate our engaged communities and will continue to take into account both present-day implications and historical context as our community moves forward with the future relocation of Harriet Tubman Middle School. As we prepare for additional community discussions, we are sharing that we agree that this future middle school should enhance–and not displace–existing school communities in the Albina neighborhood.”

This image via oregon.gov, is a conceptual draft and is subject to change based on technical analysis and public input. Click image to view larger.

“Over the last few weeks, my school board colleagues and I have listened to PTA leaders, students, and families from our Albina neighborhood schools, and together with our community, I am confident that we will find a solution that will benefit our kids and our community,” said Gary Hollands, chair of the facilities and operations committee of the PPS Board of Education. “I look forward to our rich discussion next week at our facilities and operations committee and throughout this process.”

“The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. PTA is relieved that PPS listened to our community,” said Tiffany Robinson, president of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. PTA. “As we heal from the trauma, we appreciate that our school community is safe and will remain engaged with school district leaders in the discussion of where to relocate Harriet Tubman Middle School.”

“We are continuing to partner with the governor and state legislators during this upcoming legislative session to secure the necessary funds to relocate and rebuild the school in a safe and healthy location in the historic Albina community. This is the right action for the state to take given the historical harm that the I-5 freeway inflicted on this school community and the broader Albina community,” shared PPS Director Julia Brim-Edwards, who served on the Rose Quarter Executive Steering Committee.

The Oregon State Legislature will convene February 1 to begin the 2022 legislative short session. Under consideration will be a budget request from Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, who announced last week that she will seek funding for the relocation of Harriet Tubman Middle School.

The Facilities and Operations Committee of the Board of Education will meet on Mon., Feb.7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Blanchard Educational Service Center. The purpose of this meeting will be to collaborate with local PTAs, families, and students to identify and continue narrowing community-centered options for a possible relocation of Harriet Tubman Middle School.

Read Brown Throws Support Behind Highway Covers, Connectivity in I-5 Expansion (The Skanner, August 2021)

Read Arsenic, Cadmium Present in North Portland Air (The Skanner, February 2016)