PORTLAND, Ore. — When a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Long Beach, California, in 1933, it destroyed 70 schools and damaged hundreds more. The disaster occurred in the evening, when classrooms were empty — a stroke of luck that spared countless lives. Within weeks, California passed the first statewide seismic safety standards for public school buildings.
Oregon, however, lagged behind. For decades, state leaders did not acknowledge that the Pacific Northwest faces significant earthquake risks of its own. Only around the turn of the 21st century did legislators begin taking meaningful steps toward ensuring that Oregon’s schools could withstand a major quake.
Early Policy Shifts
Among those who helped drive seismic safety into Oregon’s policy agenda were civil engineer Yumei Wang, longtime state Senate President Peter Courtney, and others who pressed lawmakers to act. Their work led to the Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program, created by voters in 2002.
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That initiative was followed in 2005 by Senate Bill 2, requiring Oregon’s Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) to conduct a rapid visual screening of every school and emergency services building. The screening examined building type, age, construction materials, soil conditions, and seismic zone — providing the first statewide assessment of seismic risk.
“This technique evaluates a large number of buildings quickly,” explained DOGAMI hazard specialist Lalo Guerrero. “It relies entirely on the external characteristics of the building as seen from the outside.”
The results, released in 2007, identified thousands of vulnerable buildings — and underscored the scale of Oregon’s seismic safety challenge.
The Seismic Grant Program
In 2009, Oregon launched the first round of seismic rehabilitation grants. The program allowed school districts and emergency services providers to apply for funding to retrofit critical facilities.
The standards varied by use: gyms, cafeterias, and spaces designated as community shelters were required to meet “immediate occupancy” standards, remaining usable after a quake. Classrooms and non-shelter spaces had to meet “life safety” standards, ensuring survival but not necessarily continued use.
Since its inception, the program has awarded nearly $650 million to 350 of Oregon’s 1,300 schools. Grants are capped at $2.5 million per project — a meaningful sum, but only a fraction of what’s needed.
For comparison, the ongoing seismic and safety retrofit of the Oregon State Capitol alone carries a price tag of $465 million.
Local Impacts
Despite limited resources, the grants have proved crucial for districts struggling to pass school bonds.
The Estacada School District, with just four schools, has secured four separate seismic grants, including two for its high school. After voters rejected a $149 million bond in 2024, grants became the district’s only significant funding for facility improvements.
“Our operations department has put a concerted effort into securing these grants because our facilities are aging and have significant needs,” said district spokesperson Maggie Kelly.
The Gladstone School District has faced similar challenges. Voters rejected a $76 million bond in 2025, despite a 2023 assessment showing all of its schools required seismic work. That same year, Gladstone secured nearly $2.5 million in state funds to upgrade the John Wetten Elementary School gym.
“It’s only a fraction of what the bond would have covered,” district spokesperson Raymond Rendleman acknowledged.
The Costs of Safety
The scale of the challenge is daunting. A 2024 engineering assessment of Portland Public Schools estimated that retrofitting all buildings would cost more than $900 million.
Individual projects routinely run into the tens of millions. Schools built with unreinforced masonry, particularly vulnerable in earthquakes, present some of the most expensive retrofitting needs.
Still, some districts have made remarkable progress.
Hillsboro’s Success Story
In 2007, Hillsboro had 31 schools identified as at-risk. Seven were rated “high” collapse risk, and one as “very high.” Since then, the district has replaced two schools, built eight new ones, and invested more than $45 million in seismic projects through a 2017 bond measure.
District officials now believe they have addressed every known seismic shortfall. Hillsboro’s progress illustrates the difference consistent voter support and long-term planning can make.
Beaverton Builds for the Future
The Beaverton School District has also made seismic safety a priority. In 2007, 13 of its 46 schools were rated “high risk” and one “very high.” Today, many of those buildings have been rebuilt or are undergoing major retrofits.
The most ambitious project is the new Beaverton High School, a $253 million replacement for the century-old campus. The new building, scheduled to open in 2026, is designed not only to meet seismic standards but also to serve as a community shelter after disasters.
“Certain portions of the building are designed for immediate occupancy,” said facilities administrator Aaron Boyle. “Plumbing and electrical systems can be isolated, so a generator or water tank could keep them running if utilities fail.”
The school also incorporates enhanced security measures, from bullet-resistant glass to secure courtyards, reflecting modern concerns beyond earthquakes.
According to Boyle, Beaverton’s success stems from a decade of voter-approved bonds and a clear commitment to seismic safety. “It takes community support, consistent leadership, and long-term planning,” he said.
Portland’s Persistent Problem
By contrast, Portland Public Schools (PPS) still faces steep challenges. In 2007, 36 of its 91 schools were rated at high or very high risk. As of 2025, at least eight of those buildings have had no major seismic work.
With aging infrastructure and limited funding, PPS remains Oregon’s most at-risk district. Officials estimate that addressing all identified vulnerabilities would require unprecedented investment.
Statewide Outlook
Governor Tina Kotek has ordered that all new state buildings over 10,000 square feet meet the highest seismic standards and that existing buildings reach at least life safety standards by 2060. But the order did not specify how such upgrades would be funded.
Meanwhile, seismic grants remain the primary lifeline for many school districts. Advocates argue that more state and federal investment is essential if Oregon is to prepare for the massive Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake scientists believe is inevitable.
Looking Ahead
Nearly a century after California acted decisively in response to the Long Beach earthquake, Oregon is still catching up. Progress has been made, but thousands of students continue to attend schools rated at high risk of collapse.
As Wang, the PSU engineer, noted, “We’re not just protecting buildings — we’re protecting lives and ensuring schools can serve as community anchors after disaster.”
For districts like Beaverton and Hillsboro, success shows what’s possible with long-term commitment. For Portland and others still struggling, the challenge remains steep — but the urgency is clear.
When the next earthquake comes, whether Oregon’s children are safe will depend on the investments made today.
