January 19, 2006 Outlook & Review (61k )

This column was adapted from a speech by OSBA Executive Director Kevin McCann at the OSBA annual convention and helps meet an OSBA Board priority this year: "Keep members better informed about association efforts related to school funding and other programs and initiatives." OSBA position papers will be posted under "what's new" at first, then in their respective topic pages. Here is the first, which explains OSBA's challenges and efforts regarding school funding.

Although there are pockets of successful local efforts where communities have passed a bond levy or a local option, Oregonians are in no mood to provide adequate statewide school funding. And more funding and tax challenges are headed our way.

For over 18 months OSBA worked with a statewide coalition of organizations intent on a tax-reform package that would restore school funding to adequate levels. The partners conducted polls to test various plans and the answer was always emphatically NO!

The brutal fact: Although Oregonians value education, they clearly do not want to reform the statewide tax system to pay more in taxes for K-12 schools.

Now there are two troubling measures that anti-tax advocates want on the ballot: one spending-limit measure and one known as the 65 percent initiative. OSBA is actively involved in coalitions gearing up for these fights, and we’ll need your help.

Polling has told us that 46 percent of Oregonians do not recall having heard anything good about schools in the past year.

All this helps explain our shift of strategy away from immediate tax reform efforts to a longer-term strategy of improving student achievement while drawing attention to our success.

Surveys have further taught us that Oregonians are not compelled by messages about budget and program cuts; they ARE compelled by local success stories and board members, superintendents, principals and teachers are the most credible local voices.

OSBA is here to assist you. In fact, our Bridges to Achievement program is working to maximize leadership to improve student achievement at districts all over the state this year. Our Tangible Triumphs program is helping districts re-focus communication efforts to help you inform communities about school successes.

Folks, we’re in difficult times, it’s true. But we will stay united and support one another on behalf of a half-million children in this state who are counting on us.