Got this email from the school Superintendent. Scary times, Mamas!

Closing the budget gap
These are reductions I have proposed to the Portland School Board:
* Cuts to central operations and supports: $3.1 million, including up to 25 full time employees.
* Special education and English as a second language: $4.6 million reduction, including up to the equivalent of 52 full time teaching positions. We will ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
* School staffing: $11.6 million reduction, including the equivalent of up to 126 full time teaching positions. (

Hard choices
In light of the cuts we need to make, I propose to preserve a common core program as much as possible across all schools, so that all students have equitable – if diminished – educational opportunities with our core academic program as the highest priority.

Here are four possible scenarios for reducing school staff:

1. Protect common programs and cut other enrichments. Elementary, K-8 and middle schools would lose 66 staff positions, but would protect a common program. For example, if all kept current levels of PE, other classes such as art, library and music would be cut. High schools would cut 60 staff positions, primarily mitigated by having teachers teach at least six classes.
2. Eliminate specific common programs and preserve other enrichments. Elementary, K-8 and middle schools would cut 66 staff positions, by eliminating a common program. For example, PPS could eliminate all PE for grades K to 8, protecting other enrichment offerings such as music, library, art, technology, drama and dance. Classroom teachers could teach physical activity and some PE. The high school cut is the same as in Scenario One.
3. Protect minimal common program. For example, elementary, K-8 and middle schools would maintain a halftime PE teacher at most, cutting a total of 25 staff positions, and cutting the other 41 staff positions from classes such as art or music (the school district might mandate which). High schools reduced as in Scenario One.
4. Cut staff from all schools proportionately and raise class sizes. Elementary, K-8, and middle schools would eliminate 94 staff positions, dramatically reducing programs such as art, library, music and PE. High schools would cut 32 staff positions, primarily by increasing class sizes and reducing electives.