In a decisive move shaking up the status quo, the Portland Public Schools board has voted to end fundraising efforts for teaching staff independently. KATU reports that from now on, all such fundraising will fall under the jurisdiction of a sole district-wide foundation. This seeks to even out the playing field, as currently, some schools can raise significantly more funds than others.

The decision has effectively dismantled over 30 individual foundations previously working across the district's schools. It's an attempt to address a financial disparity where some schools, as reported by KATU, can amass sizeable sums while others aren't as fortunate. While the board's move is seen by some as a step towards equity, others are concerned about the potential long-term negative impacts on communities accustomed to mobilizing resources for their educators. Peter Sachs, a parent opposing the move, accused the board of pursuing a "sham process."

Yet, the change wasn't made lightly or swiftly. It followed years of dialogue and public input, beginning back in 2019. OPB details how the school board's conversation about fundraising reforms was based on a policy last revised in 2002. Board member Brim-Edwards specified that this issue had been discussed more than any other in the past decade, with numerous meetings and community forums dedicated to the subject.

Opponents of the change argue it was "sprung" on the community, citing disproportionate effects on small-scale school foundations, specifically those with lower percentages of students qualifying for free and reduced-price meals — a notion rejected by Brim-Edwards. She mentioned lengthy community discussions were ongoing, even recalling a history of fundraising re-evaluations that date back to her previous tenure on the board from 2001-05. This was shortly after Oregon's Measure 5 capped local property taxes, which had initially spurred the creation of these local school foundations in 1994.