Recommendations of the Interim Task Force on Education Service District  Funding

WHEREAS, the 1999 Legislature created the Interim Task Force on Education Service District Funding to identify services that should be delivered on a regional basis, determine the most cost-effective, efficient method of delivering regional services, identify the best methods of administration to ensure accountability and responsiveness to school district needs, and review funding equity proposals; and

WHEREAS, the task force’s recommendations affirm the need for a statewide system of regional education service agencies and retain the existing governance and accountability structure; and

WHEREAS, the major components of the task force’s recommendations call for the phase-in of full equalization of ESD funding and propose the merger of certain ESDs; and

WHEREAS, ESD funding equalization will cause a significant reallocation of financial resources among ESDs, lead to the substantial alteration of ESD programs and services, and increase local discussions of the possible reorganization of ESD boundaries.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oregon School Boards Association recommends to the 2001 Legislature that it accept the recommendations of the Interim Task Force on ESD Funding except the proposal for ESD mergers which should be voluntary; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Oregon School Boards Association’s 2001 Legislative Policies and Priorities be amended to read:

2.3 Education Service Districts
OSBA supports the role of education service districts to assist school districts and the state Department of Education in achieving Oregon’s educational goals by providing equitable, high-quality, cost-effective, locally responsive educational services on a regional basis.
2001 Legislative Priority: OSBA will actively promote legislation that implements the structure, governance, accountability and funding recommendations of the 2000 Interim Task Force on Education Service District Funding, but will oppose legislation that mandates the merger of certain ESDs until funding equalization is complete.