WHEREAS, the 2003 Oregon Legislative Assembly enacted a revenue package that would yield $800 million for the 2003-05 state budget; and
WHEREAS, opponents of the revenue package may successfully refer it to Oregon voters by petition for a Feb. 3, 2003 special election vote; and
WHEREAS, by law, voter rejection of the revenue package will result in a $414 million reduction in K-12 school funding with the entire reduction falling in the second year of the 2003-05 biennium—slightly over nine percent of anticipated 2004-05 total school revenue; and
WHEREAS, further cuts to K-12 schools in 2004-05 could mean for some school districts, for example, staff reductions, larger class sizes, a shortened school year, delays in purchasing updated textbooks and other instructional materials, and could result in a direct negative impact on student learning and further erode Oregon’s progress in meeting the student achievement challenges of Oregon’s Educational Act for the 21st Century and the federal No Child Left Behind Act mandate; and
WHEREAS, for most Oregon personal income taxpayers, the temporary graduated income tax surcharge means a tax increase of no more than $3 per month; and
WHEREAS, other components of the revenue package increase the contribution made by businesses to support vital state education, public safety and human services programs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE
IT RESOLVED that the Oregon School Boards Association strongly supports the 2003 Legislature’s bi-partisan revenue package to balance the 2003-05 state budget as essential to providing needed funds to operate K-12 public schools in 2004-05 and beyond;
and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Oregon School Boards Association urges all its members—locally-elected school district, education service district and community college board members—to encourage their communities’ voters to support sustaining the 2003 Legislature’s action by voting “yes” on the Feb. 3, 2004 special election measure; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Oregon School Boards Association urges all its members to inform their local communities what it would mean to their schools if the $414 million in the legislature’s revenue package is not available in the 2004-05 school year.
Submitted by: OSBA Board of Directors
Recommendation by OSBA Resolutions Committee: Do Pass
Action taken by OSBA membership at Nov. 15 Annual Business
Meeting:
Resolution adopted
