Oregon Public Broadcasting

Some students and parents at Benson High continue to protest the Portland Public Schools proposed redesign. They plan to make their feelings known Monday when the school board meets.OPB's Sam Sanders reports.

The proposal would make Benson a two-year, part time skill center. Since the plan was unveiled, the Benson community has been up in arms.

PPS is reshaping Benson due to budget constraints. They also want to offer career training to more high school students.

Last week, some Benson high students walked out of class in protest. And Thursday, Benson supporters voiced their concerns to Superintendent Carole Smith at a community meeting.

Smith commended the people gathered in the school's auditorium: "I will say you have some incredibly passionate advocates for Benson."

But at the meeting's open mic, Benson supporters begged the district to save the school.

Among the speakers was sophomore Roota Gebremariam: "Ever since the day I walked through Benson doors, I felt like a nobody, and I didn't no anybody. But by the time a few weeks passed, I knew everybody and everybody was just like family to me."

Monday evening, Benson supporters will lead a march from the campus to the school board meeting.