In a historic move, the Portland Public School Board (PPS) has voted to begin paying its seven members a monthly stipend of $527, becoming the first school district in Oregon to adopt such compensation.
The decision, finalized Tuesday night, follows the passage of House Bill 2753 in 2023, which allows elected school board members statewide to receive stipends of up to $500 per month, adjusted annually for inflation. Until now, no other Oregon district had implemented the policy.
Board Approves Stipends Through Individual Votes
During the meeting, each of the seven board members voted in turn to approve the stipend for their fellow members while recusing themselves from their own vote. The total cost to the district is expected to be $44,268 per year, a relatively small expense within Portland Public Schools’ overall budget.
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Board Chair Eddie Wang, who supported the measure, emphasized that the stipends are intended to make board service more accessible and inclusive. “We probably would have gotten more candidates if there was a stipend in place,” Wang said. “Even one or two more candidates can make a big difference when several seats are up for election.”
Aimed at Expanding Access and Diversity
Wang noted that the unpaid nature of school board service has long discouraged many community members from running, especially those balancing work, family, or financial constraints. Board members typically dedicate around 20 hours a week to the role, which translates to an hourly rate of roughly $5 to $6 under the new stipend.
“The percentage we’re spending on stipends is minuscule compared to the amount of money we’re overseeing,” Wang said. “But for a smaller district, that percentage could be much higher, which is why some haven’t moved forward with stipends yet.”
He added that offering compensation could improve board performance and ultimately benefit the district. “It takes time to be a good board member,” Wang explained. “If I have to constantly choose between working extra hours at my job or dedicating time to board work, that’s not good for the district. The stipend helps reduce that tension.”
Mixed Feelings but Broad Support
While the measure passed unanimously, several board members acknowledged that voting to pay themselves felt awkward. Still, they agreed it was an important and necessary step to professionalize the role and ensure effective governance.
“It is so important, the work that is being done by all of these board members,” said member Stephanie Engelsman. “To any other districts thinking about doing this—it feels weird. All of us have felt weird about this. But legislators have recognized that this is an important step in the right direction.”
The stipends will begin this month, and members may opt out of receiving any or all of the payments if they choose.
Broader Implications Across Oregon
The Portland School Board’s decision could influence other districts to reconsider how they support their elected officials. Wang said he has spoken with board members statewide who have expressed interest in the idea but have been hesitant to act, largely due to financial constraints or uncertainty about public reaction.
For Portland, he argues, the change represents a modest but meaningful investment in the people responsible for shaping the district’s $2 billion budget and major policy decisions.
By taking this step, Portland Public Schools hopes to set a precedent that encourages civic participation and reduces barriers to leadership within Oregon’s largest school district.
