My son started at Reiche School 30 years ago. At that time, the school body was very diverse, with 23 languages spoken. In his 12 years in the Portland school system, including at King Middle and Portland High schools, he had many friends with different backgrounds, as the schools became even more diverse.

Over that time and since, Portland Public Schools has touted the diversity of its students as an asset, which it certainly is. That said, I do not understand why there is a need to spend over $2.9 million to “advance equity” in our school system. Why hasn’t this need been addressed over the past 30 years, as our student composition changed? Shouldn’t ensuring equity long been a focus, supported by annual budget expenditures? Why (as school board Chair Emily Figdor told the Press Herald) have “huge opportunity gaps … between students of color and white students” been allowed to develop without being addressed before this?

When I was on the City Council 30 years ago, I served on the Finance Committee. I reviewed the school budget in great detail. Noting disparities between schools, my questions about spending equity offended school board members, who could not answer them. I wonder how much effort has been invested by the current school board in reviewing the proposed school budget before submitting an irresponsible increase of $6.24 million and, more importantly, a 5.5 percent tax increase.

Portland taxpayers, ask yourselves what improvements could have been made in your neighborhood or your local parks, if the city manager had recommended a $6.23 million increase in his budget?

Anne Pringle
former mayor
Portland