Resolution

WHEREAS, over the last decade, the primary funding responsibility for Oregon’s public elementary/secondary schools has shifted from the local to state level; and

WHEREAS, the enactment of Oregon’s Educational Act for the 21^st Century established an enhanced state role in determining and assessing common standards of academic achievement for all public school students; and

WHEREAS, new mechanisms, including School Report Cards, the Database Initiative Project, and Consolidated District Improvement Plans, have been created to hold school leaders, professional educators, school districts and schools accountable for the focus on and achievement of state-imposed standards; and

WHEREAS, in some national and state circles, a debate has ensued questioning the legitimacy of local governance, in particular, the appropriate role of the locally-elected school board in a public school system where funding, performance standard and assessment decisions are made at the state level; and

WHEREAS, the legislature has been inclined, to a greater degree than ever before, to impose its will over curriculum and course of instruction areas — decisions traditionally made by local school policy-makers and professional educators to reflect the unique needs and circumstances in each of their local communities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oregon School Boards Association, working in concert with its other public school partners, including the state Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Board of Education, Confederation of Oregon School Administrators, the Oregon Education Association, the Oregon School Employees Association and the Oregon Parent-Teacher Association, shall lead the effort to develop a Charter for Public School Governance and Accountability outlining the roles, responsibilities and accountability functions of each segment of public school governance; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Charter for Public School Governance and Accountability, once developed and agreed to by the aforementioned organizations, shall be distributed to the membership of each organization, statewide elected officials and members of the Oregon Legislative Assembly.

Submitted by: OSBA Board of Directors
OSBA Resolutions Committee Recommendation: Do Pass
OSBA Membership Action: Adopted