Portland, Ore. – In a special two‑hour session on Friday, the Portland Public Schools (PPS) board approved an independent investigation into the district’s use of the private messaging app Signal for official communications. Board Chair Eddie Wang said the board wants to determine whether any messages qualify as public records and, if so, whether they can be retrieved.
Background of the inquiry
The move follows a report by Willamette Week that Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong and other district leaders used Signal’s “disappearing message” feature to discuss district business. The publication claims to possess images—still unreleased to the public—showing the app in use for school‑related matters.
Board Chair Wang did not name any individual participants, but emphasized the board’s responsibility to ensure transparency. “As a board we believe it’s in the best interest of PPS to understand whether, how and why Signal was used by PPS employees and whether any messages sent or received were public records,” Wang said.
Legal context and next steps
Under Oregon law, any official communication that pertains to district business must be archived as a public record, regardless of the medium. An attorney quoted by Fox 12 earlier this week warned that failing to preserve such messages could constitute a crime.
The board has tasked an outside legal team with completing the review by Dec. 11. Once the findings are compiled, the board plans to brief its members and release the report’s key information to the public.
Protection for whistleblowers
Board members also stressed the importance of safeguarding anyone who comes forward with relevant information. “We want anyone who has come forward, or who will come forward, with information about possible messages to be protected,” the board statement read.
Superintendent’s response
A spokesperson for Superintendent Armstrong clarified that Signal is not an approved messaging system for the district. The investigation coincides with Armstrong’s proposal to close several schools—a plan that has already sparked strong reactions from many parents.
Implications for the community
Parents and community members have expressed concern that the use of an encrypted app could limit transparency and hinder public oversight of school decisions. At the same time, district officials argue that secure communications can protect sensitive information.
The board’s decision to pursue an independent review reflects a commitment to accountability and adherence to state record‑keeping requirements. As the investigation proceeds, PPS stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the findings shape future communication policies within the district.
Original reporting: KPTV FOX 12 Portland (news) — read the source article.
