Portland Public Schools realized few savings in its quest to cut down construction costs at what promise to be some of the most expensive high schools in the nation.

Under heat from the Portland School Board this past spring, the district’s efforts have lowered costs at Jefferson High School from a projected $491 million in October 2024 to $466 million, and Ida B. Wells High School from $455 million to $449 million, according to a staff memo from Dr. Jon Franco, the district’s senior chief of operations. Meanwhile, costs at Cleveland High School have slightly increased, from a $469 million budget to $473 million.

That brings the total cost of the three projects up to about $1.38 billion. The district has budgeted $1.51 billion from two property tax bonds for the overhauls.

The latest fi

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