Every school day, thousands of Portland children enter buildings that experts say could collapse in an earthquake. These unreinforced masonry buildings (URMs) are ticking time bombs, putting our kids and the teachers and staff inside at risk of being trapped -- or worse -- when (not if) the next earthquake strikes our community.

For years, parents have been raising the alarm but progress has been far too slow. But we have a critical opportunity to act - now - that we cannot afford to miss.

This May, Portlanders will decide on a $1.8 billion school bond. As much as $400 million of that bond could be directed to make our most vulnerable elementary and middle schools more earthquake-safe. That's enough funding to protect thousands of young lives.

The problem? The School Board hasn't committed to prioritizing these upgrades.

We're asking for a Seismic Bond Promise from our School Board to protect our children and their educators. We need them to formally commit to prioritize funding for the critical and urgent need of seismic retrofits at the riskiest elementary and middle schools expected to perform most poorly in a seismic event and that pose the greatest risk to the lives of our children.

(See this recent Willamette Week article for the details on the risk these school buildings pose.)