Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland Schools Superintendent Carole Smith has made several changes to her plan to reorganize the district's high schools. Smith presented her revisions to the School Board Wednesday night.

Carole Smith: "I am recommending a significant departure from the initial proposal."

Smith still wants Benson Polytechnic to become a magnate school. But under her new plan it would remain a four-year school, instead of being scaled back to two years.

After the redesign plan was released in April some families protested. They said Benson’s unique curriculum kept their kids in school.

Under the new proposal, Benson will shrink to serve only 400 students. The change in plan was generally well received. 

David Wynde is a member of the board. He said the plan balanced competing needs in the district.

David Wynde: "That’s very very hard to do and I think this gets closer than anything we’ve seen so far."

The goal of Smith’s redesign is to create more uniform enrollment and course offerings across Portland’s high schools.

The board votes on the revised plan later this month.