Texas-based construction management firm Procedeo has been selected to oversee Portland Public Schools’ historic $1.83 billion bond program, a sweeping modernization effort that includes major upgrades across multiple campuses. The district announced the selection on Nov. 18, marking one of the largest program management decisions in PPS history.
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The proposed contract—pending Portland School Board approval—would position Procedeo as the lead provider of “comprehensive professional program and project management services” for projects funded through the record-setting bond passed by voters in May. That includes oversight of three large-scale high school modernization efforts at Cleveland, Ida B. Wells and Jefferson. The firm would be responsible for ensuring that construction stays on schedule, remains within budget, and follows PPS’ evolving project-delivery standards.
The district’s partnership with Procedeo began earlier this year. In June, PPS brought the firm on board with a $149,500 contract—just under the threshold that would have required School Board approval—to develop a comprehensive report on Jefferson High School’s construction and identify potential efficiencies. The report, obtained last week by Willamette Week, suggested accelerating Jefferson’s opening by preparing the first two floors for earlier occupancy. However, it stopped short of estimating the cost implications, a gap that has raised questions among some board members and community advocates.
The district expanded Procedeo’s role again in September, awarding an additional $487,500 to extend the firm’s oversight of the Office of School Modernization (OSM) through December. The OSM, which manages PPS’ long-term capital initiatives, has faced persistent turnover and capacity challenges. The expansion drew concern from several School Board members who warned about the risks of bypassing a competitive bidding process. Despite reservations, the extension passed with a 6–1 vote, signaling both urgency and internal divisions regarding the district’s project management strategy.
This new RFP-based selection marks the first competitive process in the series of Procedeo engagements. The firm outperformed two Lake Oswego–based competitors to secure the top score in the district’s evaluation. If approved, the contract would run for five years and could be extended twice, for up to two years each, potentially giving Procedeo nearly a decade of influence over Portland’s most ambitious school construction effort.
Superintendent Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong emphasized that this move represents a broader shift toward more disciplined project governance amid ongoing scrutiny of PPS’ construction management practices. “As a new administration, we are building the systems, structures, and project-delivery approaches that allow us to move this work forward with greater clarity and accountability,” Armstrong said. “Procedeo’s proposal aligns with that direction.”
The decision comes at a pivotal moment for PPS. Beyond the scale of the bond, the district is under pressure to restore public trust following years of delays, cost escalations, and management turmoil in prior modernization efforts. Supporters say Procedeo brings national expertise and the capacity needed to stabilize the program. Critics argue that the district must balance that expertise with transparency, competition, and careful oversight of outside contractors.
If the School Board approves the contract, Procedeo will take on one of the most significant education infrastructure portfolios in the Pacific Northwest. Their work will shape not only construction timelines and budgets but also the experience of thousands of students set to attend modernized campuses over the next decade.
Originally reported by Joanna Hou in WWEEK.
