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Superintendent Carole Smith's latest plan for the district's $16.8 million windfall would spend $7.1 million more than her original plan.

(Michael Lloyd/The Oregonian)

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith's revised plan for the $16.8 million surplus discovered this fall calls for spending $7.1 million more on staffing and one-time expenses such as building maintenance and classroom supplies.

The plan, which Smith and district staff will deliver to the Portland School Board on Tuesday, would accomplish the extra spending by reducing the amount dedicated to savings, from $10.9 million to $3.8 million.

The most significant change in Smith's new plan is a $5.5 million commitment to one-time purchases. Smith's plan doesn't identify how the money would be spent, but presents several options, from removing lead paint in school buildings to buying modular classrooms for crowded schools.

The new plan also boosts hiring to a total of $3.5 million. In addition to Smith’s original plan to spend $2 million to hire teachers throughout the district, the new plan adds $1.5 million for high school support staff such as librarians and bookkeepers.

Finally, the new plan would slightly boost Smith’s allowance to accomplish her 2014-15 goals. Instead of the $3.8 million originally dedicated to promoting early literacy, improving graduation rates and decreasing suspension and expulsion rates, Smith’s new plan would spend $4 million on the goals.

The changes come in light of a school board meeting last week, when board members were slated to vote the new money into use. Instead, they worried that Smith's original plan placed too much money in savings during a time when, as board member Greg Belisle put it, "we know our schools are still not back to whole."

The board is scheduled to vote upon Smith’s revised recommendations on Tuesday.

In addition to the plan outlined above, Smith will present a range of other options that dedicate more or less money to savings. Smith’s original plan to place $10.9 million in reserves is the thriftiest, while the spendiest scenario places just $1.3 million in reserves.

If board members approve the spending plan on Tuesday, the hiring process will begin immediately. Smith will report back to the board next month to discuss more specific plans for the rest of the money.

--Kelly House