Chapman Levy Information

Dear Chapman Families,

Portland Public Schools has referred a measure to the May 2024 ballot that if passed would authorize continuation of the current property tax rate of $1.99 per $1,000 of assessed property value for an additional five years. Approximately one in five Portland Public Schools teaching positions is funded by the tax revenue raised by the current levy.

At Chapman, the measure would fund 5 teaching positions in the 2024-25 school year if passed. If the measure passes, the levy is estimated to collect property tax revenue in the amount of $101.5 million for Portland Public Schools in school year 2025-26 and would fund teaching positions and classroom support staff at every school in the district, approximately 660 positions annually over five years.

If passed, the measure would authorize the collection of tax revenue to fund teaching and other positions to:

• Support a well-rounded education, including career and technical programs and enrichments and electives, so students graduate with the appropriate skills for career or college.

• Provide classroom support staff, such as educational assistants and reading specialists for students struggling with academic or mental/behavioral health issues.

• Help maintain class sizes and prevent significant increases across the district.

The measure would authorize continuation of the current property tax rate of $1.99 per $1,000 of assessed property value for an additional five years. The owner of a home assessed at $275,706, the district’s current average assessed property value, would pay $45.72 per month or $548.65 per year.

If passed, the measure would require independent citizen oversight so that tax dollars would be used for purposes approved by local voters. Funds would be placed in a sub-account to facilitate oversight and accurate reporting. No tax revenue authorized by the measure would be used for district administration.

If the measure does not pass, the teaching and support positions would not be funded as proposed and the current property tax of $1.99 per $1,000 of assessed property value would not continue. The current tax expires in June 2025.

The school district is funded through state, local and federal dollars. While the Oregon Legislature did increase funding for school districts, there is an approximately $100 million gap between what the state funds for K-12 education and the school district’s proposed expenditures. If the measure passes the proposed levy would provide property tax revenue to fill the gap in the school district budget.

Election Day is May 21, 2024. Remember to mail your ballot back on or before Election Day (no postage needed) or return to an Official Ballot Drop Site by 8 pm on Election Day. Ballots mailed back must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Visit multco.us/dropsites to find an official drop box.

However you choose to vote, you are encouraged to vote in this election and in every election.