March 30, 2006 Outlook & Review (49k )

After thorough discussion, the OSBA Board voted unanimously on March 3 to support the Oregon School Funding Defense Foundation’s funding-adequacy lawsuit. I applaud this attempt to have the courts define what our state constitution requires of our legislature in support of public education.

I caution board members - and all education supporters - not to view this lawsuit as THE solution. Even a favorable ruling will not immediately solve the problems we face. Funding-adequacy lawsuits in other states have had mixed results, and they take years to resolve.

I began serving on a school board shortly after my son entered public school - he graduated years ago - and when I reflect on the opportunities that he enjoyed versus those available to youngsters today, I am appalled. The rapid erosion of our public-education system is well illustrated by the six plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

During years of under-funding, the commitment, creativity and caring of Oregon communities, local boards and school staffs have helped our schools maintain most of what we achieved in better days - days in which education was held in high esteem by a public who knew education benefited all of society. But how long can we hold on before we lose our grip on a system that used to be the envy of most states?

What will be the role of the Oregon School Boards Association? 

We’ll continue working with our members, the Legislature, the governor, the superintendent of public instruction, the State Board of Education and all others who rally behind public education. Success in the political arena, in my opinion, is mostly about building relationships. We’ve worked hard to do just that with all parties who are - or should be - seeking a solution to the school-funding crisis.

We stand behind the Oregon School Funding Defense Foundation. As the debate approaches the courtroom, we should all seize this opportunity to galvanize public-education support to protect this vital and most cherished legacy. Because, as I’ve said time and again, education is the single most important undertaking of our society and the foundation for success in any human endeavor.

If your board supports the Oregon School Funding Defense Foundation lawsuit, you may want to write a resolution such as the sample drafted by OSBA that is located on the Oregon School Funding Defense lawsuit page.