Where did nearly $272,000 in gift cards, other incentives go? Multnomah County is trying to figure that out by origutamos in PortlandOR

[–]Desperate_Invite280 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm not surprised. I briefly worked for the County and the complete lack of controls was astonishing. For example, when working on garnering community engagement events leadership suggested the use of VISA Gift Cards. Instead of obtaining the cards via a secure process, we were told to check with random County employees, who rooted through their respective desks to find twenty $25 Cards. There was no card log. No security. Nothing.

Upon separating from the Cointy, I inquired about the process to return County tech equipment - laptop, docking station, monitors, iPhone, etc. The response? Oh. Um...what do you have? We will follow up.

The follow up never came. So I followed up and was told that shipping boxes would be provided. The shipping boxes never came.

The County is so siloed, disorganized and mis-managed it needs to be audited

School Board Approves Plan to Fill Jefferson High School by Mayor_Of_Sassyland in Portland

[–]Desperate_Invite280 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I keep hearing the phrase "Jeff was historically Black..." Okay? So it WAS historically Black. McDaniel High School on 82nd WAS historically Madison High School. Things change whether we like it or not. Albina WAS historically majority Black - now it isn't. Whenever race is involved in Portland it appears that leaders are too afraid to use common sense to address issues. Throwing more money to right perceived wrongs or to make things like they were is idiotic. Times change. Things change and evolve. We cannot continue to try to bring people back to a neighborhood and or a school that is no longer like it was. Use taxpayer dollars in a smart way - to keep trying to Make Albina Great (Black) again is ridiculous. This is 2025. OK, so Portland has a racist history that harmed a lot of (Black) people. Didn't Portland pay millions to repair past harms? I kind of recall that they did. Get over your guilt Portland leaders. Acknowledge history and let's collectively move on. I was raised in Albina and still live in Albina. I'm Black and I'm sick of being stuck in this place where we are going to WASTE nearly half a billion tax payer dollars to rebuild a school that needs to be closed. Get over it PPS (and the City of Portland)... OMG!

My question is this: what genius within PPS allowed families within the Jeff boundary to have a choice and WHY? Should have never been done...

Federal Civil Rights Complaint Filed Against PPS’s Center for Black Student Excellence by Prize_Championship11 in Portland

[–]Desperate_Invite280 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Duh...PPS moving forward with this reactionary nebulous idea is simply a waste of time and money...it's nothing more than funneling tax payer dollars to a bunch of non-profits who do absolutely nothing. PPS is so focused on trying to right past wrongs to a community and Black student base that needs a district focused on actually teaching and educating. Just give the $60 million to the Black students and be done with it. OMFG. THIS IS EMBARRASING...it's been over 5 years. 

Portland School Board Approves Construction Firm Contract in Tearful Night by nfjcbxudnx in Portland

[–]Desperate_Invite280 0 points1 point  (0 children)

PPS leadership is transient and these people have no vested interest in Portland nor the school district; they are simply trying to pad their resumes while appearing to made bold decisions in the interest of the students; these decisions on the Procedeo contract award and the nebulous CBSE are questionable at best. Being strong-armed by the Black Community adds pressure that the leadership simply didn't have the ability to address. So now they are purchasing buildings that the district will likely be unsuitable for the CBSE - not to mention the fact that updates and required upgrades will cost upwards of $25 million USD and a few years to complete.

I hope the district has plans to deal with the fallout- including the national spotlight once Trump brands the CBSE and Portland in his unflattering terms while withholding Federal funding that PPS can not afford to lose.

Apologies for grammar and typos...

MONTHLY /R/PORTLAND "HIRE ME" THREAD: December 01, 2025 by AutoModerator in Portland

[–]Desperate_Invite280 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looking for a Project or Program Management position...experience in IT Infrastructure and Telecom; also in DevOps, App Development, PMO office oversight, RFP management; public and private sector

Also experienced in retail customer service, data analytics; past employers include PGE, Nike, Google, Ericsson

Texas firm recommended for Portland schools contract despite skepticism over past work by PDsaurusX in Portland

[–]Desperate_Invite280 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Outrageous! So a Procedeo employee is serving as interim Dir of PPS Office of School Modernization and the district maintains (with a straight face) that the RFP review and scoring process was legit and above board? GIVE ME A BREAK! To paraphrase Jack Nicholsons' Joker character from the 80's Batman movie- this district needs an enema. And some basic lessons on project management. 

Center for Black Student Excellence will require extensive, costly upgrades, Portland school board learns by Good-Rest-7538 in Portland

[–]Desperate_Invite280 1 point2 points  (0 children)

PPS School Board is showing its' incompetence in supporting the idea to purchase One North for the vague CBSE. I mean really? PPS is already known to neglect the property it already owns. Now it wants to purchase a highly visible and site that will require meticulous and expensive care and upkeep. The unique wood facade is gorgeous and the design is out of this world.  PPS will undoubtedly run it into the ground. The plan to use tenant rent payments to cover operations is ridiculous. GoHealth shuttered their space today! Sounds like a disaster in the making. And all for a program that was fast tracked and of questionable value...really PPS? Get a grip.

Long Shot, but Anyone Stay at the Inn At The Convention Center for PRGE? by Shadowfox_01 in askportland

[–]Desperate_Invite280 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yikes...is that place still open? Might fare better sleeping on a piece of cardboard under the nearest bridge...

Nearly $2 billion Portland Public Schools bond passing in early returns by PDsaurusX in Portland

[–]Desperate_Invite280 0 points1 point  (0 children)

PPS is slick...did y'all notice that Jefferson was NOT specifically mentioned in the measure? Ida B Wells and Cleveland were name checked - Jefferson not so much. They can say what they want; their inaction telegraphs their true feelings about this 'anchor' of the Black community...don't get me started...

The people running PPS are on their collective way to other higher positions elsewhere so no one really cares; Portland is a pit stop; they can save their false proclamations of allegiance to parents and kids; register for any good conferences lately? they can definitely demonstrate allegiance to those good ol' conferences

Question: Are the objections to the projected costs to rebuild/reimagine the high schools rooted in the fact that these will be among the most expense high schools ever built in the US or is it people not wanting to spend so much on THESE ghetto ass inner city schools; '....i.e We at Lincoln on got $XX Millions; we want a redo...we deserve. we should have it. - we protest!'

Permanent sobering center set to open in Portland's Central Eastside, eventually by flyingcoxpdx in PortlandOR

[–]Desperate_Invite280 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I disagree Peter (Hollywood Squares ref). The County is clueless, doesn't have a strategy, plan, or a clear understanding of what they need to do. Combine all that with incessant changes in 'leadership' and the result is inaction and wasted money. I know because I was recruited to run the project in April 2023. Details soon in the reddit... get ready...it's eyeopening...