Portland Public Schools Chief, Carole Smith, has begun her yearly ain’t got no money dance.

But I have fabulous news for her. I’ve found her some money.

Here’s the quick hit of the PPS’s bleak fiscal situation: $27.5 million shortfall, two schools would close, teachers might take furlough days, class sizes would grow, golf would be cut and there would be teacher layoffs. Remaining teachers would get a raise. Natch.

The reaction will be typical. There will be renting of garments, ashes, sackcloth, Republicans will be blamed even though they don’t hold majorities or the Governor’s office; people with homes will be told they’re selfish for wanting to save some of their own money and there will be talk of another levy to steal it.

But they don’t need to do any of this.
See that chart?  It shows how much money the schools have been shorted because of urban renewal. This document comes from the people from the Portland Development Commission, the keepers of the urban renewal money. PPS will be shorted $163 million from 2010-21015 because of Tax Increment Financing or TIF. See the chart on how TIF works nearby.

You may say, Victoria, that money is already spoken for.  Well then why doesn’t Carole Smith go on a blitz to prevent MORE urban renewal schemes? Why has she not come out against the SEVEN new urban renewal areas which will ROB the schools of more and more money over the next 31 years?

Because she’s been bought off. Lincoln High School has been included in the “Education Urban Renewal Area.” Lincoln stands to get spiffed in some way in the scheme. She’s willing to take additional property taxes off the rolls over 31 years, the length the URA, depriving the schools of millions more in lost funding. Smith will be able to plead poverty, play politics and get her way with Lincoln High School. Of course, property owners –including parents of the children she’s supposed to teach–lose, lose, lose.

Now that the City is presiding over the pot of money over at PDC, how does Sam Adams call himself the “education mayor” and at the same time propose seven new urban renewal areas which will rip off schools, public safety and libraries? Please see the series of posts called “Cash for Cronies” here, here, here, and here.