Community Participation: Portland Board of Public Education

The Portland Board of Public Education utilizes a structured system of citizen advisory panels and a dedicated engagement office to incorporate the input of students, staff, families, and the broader community into the governance of Portland Public Schools.

Under Board Policy BCF, the Portland Board of Public Education may appoint citizen advisory panels or committees to provide guidance on major issues affecting the school district. These panels are created to explore specific topics of interest to the Board and the district, identify potential options for consideration, and advise the Board on various challenges.

Structure and Authority of Advisory Panels

The establishment of a citizen advisory panel is determined by the Board of Education. Once a need is identified, the Board passes a resolution to establish the panel’s charge, the length of its service, and the procedures for appointing members.

The Board also approves a specific Scope of Work for each committee. While these panels provide critical advice, they do not possess final decision-making authority and are prohibited from acting independently of the Board or inconsistently with Board policy and direction.

To ensure diverse perspectives, the Board endeavors to select membership that represents a cross-section of the public schools as well as representatives from the general community. The Board retains the authority to discontinue any advisory panel or committee at any time.

The Office of Family and Community Engagement

Complementing the formal advisory panels is the Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE). This office operates on the principle that education is a shared responsibility between families, schools, and communities.

The FACE office is designed to build a district-wide culture of partnership by centering family voice and fostering trust. The leadership team includes Senior Director Nichole Watson, Director of Native Engagement Dr. Miranda Ryan, Special Advisor to FACE Jamaal Tibbs, and Director of Student Success CEE Willie Williams.

A significant current initiative within the FACE office involves partnering with Native and Indigenous families, educators, and community members. These intentional conversations focus on visibility, voice, and self-determination to identify immediate needs, short-term priorities, and long-term goals. This effort is intended to honor the sovereignty and lived experiences of Native communities to guide how the district serves Native students and families.

Current Community Discussion Topics

The district has identified several key areas for community discussion as part of its engagement efforts. According to the 2025 Board of Public Education Community Engagement documentation, the district is seeking input on the following topics:

• Attendance boundaries
• The district cell phone policy
• Student support services

These discussions are part of a broader effort to involve the public in the operational and policy decisions that impact daily school environments.

School Naming and Identity

Beyond policy and administrative engagement, the district and the state of Oregon have faced discussions regarding the identity of certain institutions. Reporting from KGW and OregonLive.com indicates that schools named after César Chávez in Oregon could face renaming processes.

These discussions regarding the future of the César Chávez namesake in Portland reflect the ongoing intersection of community values and district identity within the region’s educational landscape.