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PPS has proposed a scenario where Lewis closes
We love our neighbors.
Whether your kids attended Lewis in the past, your dogs play on the field, or you attend our community events, you are part of our community. We hope you also see us as part of your community, too, and that you will act on our behalf.
Lewis families will speak up about the school’s value, but we also need PPS board members to hear about the school’s impact on our neighborhood.
Lewis makes your homes more valuable.
You may not know it, but your property values are likely higher because of Lewis. One study found schools added about 6.8% to home values in the catchment zone – and at least another 2.5% or 4% if the school is as high-achieving as Lewis.
A school’s positive effect on home values is also clear in reverse, too. Studies have repeatedly shown that school closures lead to declining home values – 13% in one study, and 9.9% in another.
Our businesses are stronger with Lewis.
School-related foot traffic is a critical economic factor for a commercial corridor like Woodstock Blvd. Scholars have found that businesses lost revenue after school closures as families shifted their patronage to locations closer to the new school.
Businesses also lost spending by educators, staff, and other school-adjacent people, and money the school or afterschool programs might spend on supplies, printing, or food.
You’ve already invested heavily in the Lewis building.
Lewis had a full seismic retrofit courtesy of Portland taxpayers through bond measures ($300,000) and the Oregon Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program ($1.2 million). If the school were to close, this earthquake-ready building would sit empty, benefitting no one despite significant public expense.
Lewis makes your homes more valuable.
You may not know it, but your property values are likely higher because of Lewis. One study found schools added about 6.8% to home values in the catchment zone – and at least another 2.5% or 4% if the school is as high-achieving as Lewis.
A school’s positive effect on home values is also clear in reverse, too. Studies have repeatedly shown that school closures lead to declining home values – 13% in one study, and 9.9% in another.
There is much risk associated with Lewis being unoccupied.
At this point, PPS has offered no plan for the school buildings and properties proposed for closure. Yet studies have repeatedly shown that, without clear management, large empty properties may attract criminal activity, which in turn would have a negative impact on the neighborhood’s health. (This source summarizes the research well.)
Please feel free to speak from the heart about your connection to our community. Every little bit helps.
Simple tasks you can do:
Talk to your non-Lewis neighbors about the school's value (helpful background information)
Write PPS school board members an original email, or use this tool or an email template) -- additional talking points are here
Eddie Wang, EddieWang@pps.net
Michelle DePass, mdepass@pps.net
Christy Split, csplitt@pps.net
Stephanie Engelsman, sengelsman@pps.net
Patte Sullivan, psullivan@pps.net
Virginia La Forte, vlaforte@pps.net
Rashelle Chase-Miller, rchasemiller@pps.net
Rose Sandell (student representative), rsandell@pps.net
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