PPS is rolling out budget cuts starting in the 2026/2027 school year. The impact to Buckman Elementary will be severe and impact every child. Now is the time for us as a school community to come together, organize, and fight for the arts programs that our kids rely on.
PROPOSED CUTS TO BUCKMAN ELEMENTARY
🎵 Music teacher (Mr. S.) reduced from full-time to part-time. Currently 40 hours/week will be 16 hours/week.
🎨 Art teacher (Ms. Pen) reduced from part-time to even less. Currently 32 hours/week, will be 16 hours/week.
💃 Dance/🏃 PE teacher (Ms. Hannah) reduced from full-time to part-time. Currently 40 hours/week, will be 32 hours/week.
🎭 Performances cut
🎼 Marimba and Art Clubs cut
🎨 Arts push-in classes for both SES/dual enrolled classes cut
View the slide show shared by Principal Ditto and Senior Director of Schools, Michael Baird
Upcoming Actions
Thursday, March 12th, 4:45pm-6pm: Family-Friendly, Peaceful Protest @ PPS Headquarters
Join families, teachers, alumni, and community members to support student arts education at Buckman Elementary School. This is a peaceful, family-friendly gathering to show that arts education matters to our community. We know budget cuts are happening. This event is not about stopping cuts — it’s about making sure the staff and resources we do have are focused on students and the arts programs that define Buckman.
Let’s come together to celebrate creativity, stand up for student learning, and show our love for Buckman’s arts community. All are welcome — if you care about kids and the arts, you belong here.
Address: Address is 501 N Dixon St. Portland, OR 97227 (PPS Headquarters)
Bring: Your family and friends, signs (we’ll have some too), and your artistic spirit!
Thursday, March 12th, 6pm-9pm: PPS Board Meeting
The PPS School Board Meeting is a chance to share your larger concerns with cuts to Buckman and other schools, talk about why the arts are critical for our kids, and how these changes will impact your family directly. You can attend in-person, or virtually, or provide written feedback in advance. Details for all options are listed below.
Attend In-Person: Address is 501 N Dixon St. Portland, OR 97227
Watch the Virtual Stream: https://www.youtube.com/@ppsboardofeducation/live
Sign up to speak: Requests to provide public comment can be made via email to publiccomment@pps.net or by calling the Board Office at 503-916-3741. Requests should include:
Full name
Pronouns
Topic (required)
Meeting requested (date and title)
School community
Phone number and whether text communication is okay
Whether you are a student
Whether you plan to attend in person or virtually
Requests must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Walk-up requests are accepted, if space permits, during the fifteen minutes prior to the meeting and must be received before the meeting begins. If an interpreter is needed, please notify the Board Office at least 48 hours in advance.
Submit a written comment: Written public comments can be emailed to publiccomment@pps.net and will be shared with the Board and Student Representative. Be sure to cc the Buckman Principal, lditto@pps.net and PPS Superintendent karmstrong@pps.net.
Previous Actions
Tuesday, March 3rd, 6pm-6:45pm: Community Forum – Arts Integration at Buckman
This forum will be hosted by Buckman Principal Lisa Ditto - who has the power to make staffing decisions for Buckman Elementary. This is your chance to ask questions, provide your suggestions, ask for staff budget transparency, and advocate for the programs your child relies on.
Google Meet video call link: https://meet.google.com/ckh-bkhb-jpx Or dial: (US) +1 405-380-9090 PIN: 615 249 227#
Tuesday, March 3rd, 7pm-8pm: Organizing/Planning Community Gathering, hosted by PTA
Join us directly after the Community Forum to share your reflections and questions, organize, and make a plan for how we will move forward collectively in the fight to save the arts at Buckman.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86556423429?pwd=kWtvQKhbBuOZTDo6W6NvMp59WTErEa.1