PPS students return to school for 2024-2025 year

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The wheels on the buses are in motion Tuesday morning as Oregon's largest school district starts up for the 2024-2025 school year.

Many Portland Public Schools students return to classes today with a new superintendent at the district's helm.

Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong is inheriting the beleaguered district, one that has been marked by layoffs, budget cuts and a historic teachers strike, all before Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero ultimately stepped down from the role.

Some students, those in 7th, 8th, 10th and 11th grade get an extra day off and begin classes tomorrow, while kindergarteners don't start until next week.

KOIN 6 News' Emma Jerome spoke with Andrea Porter-Lopez, principal of Woodlawn Elementary School where she shared what she is most excited about.

"The most amazing thing for students and families this year is the free breakfast and lunch for all students," Porter-Lopez said. "So, that is going to take a burden off of many families. So that's super exciting and that is probably the best new thing going on. We're also excited about our new superintendent and her initiatives around lifting voices and promoting literacy, and so we're excited about all that."