Oregon Public Broadcasting

The state’s largest school district is slowing its approach to restructure high schools.

As Rob Manning reports, Portland school board members won’t hear recommendations about which schools to close at a meeting Monday night -- but will instead discuss two options.

Portland Public Schools’ problem is that some high schools perform better than others – and as a result, students flock to certain campuses, and away from others.

Administrators are working on a new system that would end some neighborhood high school programs, and start a few smaller, specialized programs, for students seeking alternatives.

A few school buildings are likely to close, or stop being traditional high schools.

But a district spokesman says board members won't consider a specific recommendation on how many buildings to change, or close  tonight.

Instead, they'll look at high school size, in general terms.

There are two basic scenarios. In one, district high schools would be relatively large, with about 1600 students.

That would mean more course offerings, but because Portland has only so many students, more high schools could close, or be changed to something else, like a special program.

A scenario with smaller high schools would mean less variety in course offerings, but fewer school buildings closing, or changing use.