That’s right, Ida B. Wells High School is finally getting rebuilt. Portland Public Schools is in the process of planning a new school that will replace the building from 1956. What is slated to be a multi-hundred million dollar project is scheduled to start in the fall of 2026, and finish two years later.
“I think having a rebuild sooner rather than later would be helpful,” said Drake Christiansen, a junior at Ida B. Wells. “It’s increasingly difficult to manage the amount of kids we have, as well as the basic upkeep at our school.”
Over the last few months, the Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC), a group of students, staff members, and other community members, have met to provide input on what the new building should include. They take many things into account, such as what places will hold community value, like the IBW pool or track. Additionally, components that would be best for students.
“We want a video recording room, for our journalism students, we want to have a multicultural resource center,” said Ayesha Coning, Ida B. Wells Principal. These were only a few of the ideas she had heard.
Planning is only the first step. Next, the Ida B. Wells Planning and Design Team will use 20 million dollars from the 2020 bond, to work over the next two years to decide on a proposal for the school, and construction will start in the fall of 2026. However, any reconstruction must be funded by a future loan.
“We’re going to build out from the swimming pool onto the track and the practice field, so students will be able to stay in school here,” said Coning. “Once the new school is built, this school will be demolished.” Student-athletes who run cross country, track, or play soccer or football will most likely have practice at Jackson Middle School’s outdoor areas, which are receiving a remodel next year, and Gabriel Park. Coning also said that Lincoln might be used for some home games.
Some upcoming students were frustrated that the rebuild would happen during their time as high schoolers. “I’m really excited that the school is getting rebuilt, and excited for the opportunities to get to play sports in different places, but it will be disappointing to not get to play at our home field at Wells,” said Daniel Nisley, a 7th grader at Robert Gray Middle School. The rebuild will start during his sophomore year and finish his senior year.
Ida B. Wells was one of the newest schools in the district when it was built, which is why it was the lowest on the list of schools planned to be modernized. Most students agree that a new school would be nice, but are relieved it’s not happening while they’re a student at Ida B. Wells.
“I’m glad it’s not happening while I’m in school,” said Una Allen, a sophomore at Ida B. Wells. “The school’s condition is pretty bad but I wouldn’t want construction to happen while I was here.”
