Oregon school board apologizes after contentious meeting over $61 million construction contract

The Portland School Board has apologized after a recent meeting left one board member “in tears” over a $61 million construction management contract, OregonLive.com reported.

Although the board voted 5-2 to approve the agreement, dissenting members Virginia La Forte and Stephanie Engelsman argued discussion over its terms “had been too rushed, and that more comparative financial analysis was needed,” writes The Oregonian’s Julia Silverman.

“Additionally, when Engelsman attempted to ask a series of questions about the particulars of the … contract, (board Chair Eddie) Wang cut her off abruptly, and moved to a vote. And board member Christy Splitt was so rattled by the tenor and tone of the debate over the vote’s timing that at one point, she left the meeting in tears.”

As a result, Wang read a “rare public apology” aloud at a Dec. 8 listening session, acknowledging improvements needed to be made. 

“Parts of the meeting did not reflect the level of respect, clarity or care that our community expects from its elected leaders,” Wang said. “We acknowledge that public disagreement and healthy debate can coexist with respect. We also know that we fell short in tone, in empathy and in clarity.” 

‘A culture where disagreement is welcomed, but disrespect is not’ 

The contract involved Texas-based Procedeo, a construction management firm that has worked with the district on several previous projects, despite concerns expressed by district employees. 

“Those who voted for the contract said they trusted the district’s vetting of the particulars and overall recommendation, though board member Patte Sullivan noted that she had not read all of the contract’s language,” Silverman noted. 

“There were a handful of pivot points during the meeting, including La Forte’s comment that the approximately 150 people who were present at the meeting to support both the contract and the Center for Black Student Excellence were ‘not the public, not all of Portland.’” 

In his apology, Wang called every constituent “a valued part of our community” regardless of their perspective. 

“I am committed to fostering a culture where disagreement is welcomed, but disrespect is not, where accountability is embraced and not avoided, and where every person who walks into our boardroom … feels safe to speak and be heard,” he said. “To those who experienced harm on Tuesday night, I hope you will allow us the opportunity to repair it.” 

The board has made other controversial decisions throughout the year, including approval of a resolution to resist federal immigration law enforcement and “affirm rights of undocumented students.”