School Board Member Owes $47,000 in Income Tax

In his role on the Portland Public Schools Board, Gary Hollands has a say in crafting a $1.8 billion bond.

Gary Hollands
By Joanna Hou

Gary Hollands, who is seeking reelection to the Portland Public Schools Board, owes more than $47,000 in back taxes and penalties for nonpayment, WW has learned.

Multnomah County records show that the Oregon Department of Revenue sent Hollands a legal notice in June, saying he owed $28,674 in personal income tax from 2020 with penalties and interest, coming to a total of $47,780 due.

In a statement to WW, Hollands wrote that COVID-19 created “unforeseen difficulties” for his trucking school, and he fell behind in “addressing certain financial obligations, including this one.”

He added: “We are actively working through this issue and are in communication with the appropriate parties to resolve it.” Hollands said he hopes to pay his debt by the new year.

In his role on the School Board, Hollands has a say in crafting a $1.8 billion bond that the district will present to Portland voters in May.

Hollands announced his bid for reelection on Monday to a parent Facebook group. He represents Zone 5, a part of Northeast Portland that includes Grant and McDaniel high schools.

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