Portland Schools Vote To Keep Nike Donation

The Portland School Board has voted to keep a $500,000 donation from Nike Inc. despite calls to return the money because of the company’s labor practices in developing countries.

Four of five school board members voted Thursday night against a resolution to accept money from Nike only if the athletic shoes and apparel company agreed to independent monitoring by watchdog groups.

The four members said their priority is to help the district’s students.

“We didn’t tell Nike we wanted their money only if we attached strings,” Chairwoman Donna Jordan said.

Board member Joseph Tam, who introduced the resolution, was the only yes vote.

In April, school supporters welcomed the gift of cash and equipment as part of a drive to raise money to rehire laid-off teachers. Nike’s gift was the campaign’s largest.

Two months later, media nation-wide reported that Nike used child labor and paid low wages abroad, and community activists urged Portland leaders to pressure the company.

Nike has said it is taking steps to eliminate child labor.

Nike’s gift is for athletic programs. The gift includes $100,000 from Nike chairman Phil Knight and $100,000 from a Nike youth sports foundation.

The rest is equipment and clothing, including T-shirts used in a recent fund-raising march.