It's not just about modernizing schools anymore: School bond money slated to support Sam Adams' pet projects

Willamette Week reports that this week, the Portland School Board and the Portland City Council are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding that commits $5 million of the district's proposed $548 million construction bond to transportation improvements around several schools should Portland voters approve the school district's new tax levy in May.

In addition to handing money over to the City of Portland, the agreement (pdf) would require the school district to use resources and class time to promote Mayor Sam Adams' pet project called Safe Routes to Schools. (The programs spends part of its multi-million dollar budget sponsoring a Safe Route to Schools haiku contest and a t-shirt design contest.)

The agreement between the City and PPS would require that the school district:

Pursue  the development and adoption of District policy promoting walking and biking to school.

The City Council meeting is Wednesday, March 2, 9:30 am at Portland City Hall.