We believe that Benson High School has been a major contributor to the City of Portland and its economy, with an exceptional record of closing the achievement gap in the Portland Public School System. Its full-time, 4-year educational model of combining solid academics with hands-on technical training is a proven method of preparing the job-ready and college-ready graduates desired by both colleges and employers. At the same time, we recognize the many constraints on the school district in devising a viable set of city high schools. We support any and all efforts of the Superintendent and the School Board Members to modify the current high school system design recommendation, keeping Benson High School, to the fullest extent possible, a true, stand-alone career-technical education high school, granting its own high school diplomas.