Response to the Governor’s Budget: Oregon Education Leaders and Advocates Issue Unified Call for Investing in Public Education for a More Vibrant Oregon Economy

An array of organizations representing Oregon’s education leaders and citizen advocates for public schools today praised Governor Ted Kulongoski’s proposed 2007-09 budget for its commitment to education. The public education community will urge the legislature to augment the investment level specified in the Governor’s budget for a total K-12 appropriation equal to at least 80 percent of the Quality Education Model, approximately $6.3 billion.

The American Federation of Teachers-Oregon, Confederation of Oregon School Administrators, Oregon Association of Education Service Districts, Oregon Education Association, Oregon School Boards Association, Oregon School Employees Association, Oregon Small Schools Association, Oregon PTA, and Stand for Children are jointly advocating for:

• A base budget of $6 billion to the State School Fund, which will allow for modest restoration of cuts in some districts, and 
• An additional investment of at least $208 per student ($300 million statewide) through the School Improvement Fund, to provide targeted resources to support local school districts in their efforts to improve student achievement.

“Given the economic recovery currently under way, it’s time for Oregon to reinvest in education,” said Kevin McCann, Executive Director of the Oregon School Boards Association. “Now that state revenues have recovered beyond pre-recession levels, the legislature should increase the state’s commitment to the schoolchildren of Oregon.”

Over the past five years, Oregon’s public schools have coped with accrued funding losses of nearly $1.2 billion, according to the 2006 Quality Education Model Report. That represents a cut of $1,792 per student by adjusted daily membership (ADMw).

“With an eye toward the Quality Education Model’s (QEM) definition of student success, we are jointly advocating for a substantial investment in the students of Oregon for the coming 2007-2009 biennium,” said Kent Hunsaker, Executive Director of the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators. “While we realize that it may not be possible for the state to fully fund the optimal investment level recommended by the QEM, we are urging policymakers to move toward that goal.”

The total $6.3 billion appropriation is close to 80 percent of the funding level indicated by the QEM. The $208 per student ($300 million statewide) of targeted investment would be directed through the School Improvement Fund. The School Improvement Fund, which targets additional resources to support local school districts in their efforts to improve student achievement, was established in statute in 2001 and funded until the economic recession of 2002.

School districts would target their School Improvement Fund dollars to specific local priorities off a menu of investment options. Options include:

• Reducing class sizes
• Adding or restoring physical education, music, media and other specialists
• Implementing full-day kindergarten
• Establishing mentor programs for new teachers and administrators 
• Strengthening staff training
• Launching or enhancing literacy initiatives
• Providing instructional materials and equipment 

Gaelen McAllister, a Stand for Children parent leader, noted that the $6 billion base budget would only enable Salem-Keizer schools to maintain their current service levels. “During the past ten years, my children’s class sizes have increased, their curricular options have decreased, and many of their high-needs classmates have fallen farther behind. The School Improvement Fund investment funds would enable Salem-Keizer schools to lower class sizes or restore other essential programs that have been lost.” McAllister said that Salem-Keizer’s share of a $300 million School Improvement Fund would be about $9 million per year, which could lower class sizes by two students in every grade or add more than 10 school days.

“In today’s knowledge-based economy, the most effective economic development strategy a state can employ is to invest in public education -- and in Oregon’s human capital,” said Larry Wolf, Oregon Education Association President. “Recent research also has shown that each dollar invested in public education has a direct stimulus effect on the economy, because education dollars rarely leave the state. Money that circulates through the economy here creates jobs, raises personal income, and makes for a most robust economy. We also know that an educated workforce is a stronger factor in attracting businesses to a state than tax reductions.”

“Providing an excellent education to all students will save money in the long run,” said Anita Olsen, President of Oregon PTA. “Prosperity depends on a well-financed education system that maintains Oregon’s tradition of educational excellence and provides both hope and opportunity to all of our children.”

Further details of the proposal:

A Call To Action: Investing in Public Education for a More Vibrant Oregon Economy (446k )

Organizational Contact Information:

• American Federation of Teachers-Oregon: Rob Wagner, 503-595-3880
• Confederation of Oregon School Administrators: Kent Hunsaker, 503-581-3141
• Oregon Education Association: Larry Wolf or Laurie Wimmer Whelan, 503-684-3300
• Oregon School Boards Association: David Williams, 503-588-2800
• Oregon School Employees Association: Steven Araujo or Tricia Smith, 503-588-0121
• Oregon PTA: Otto Schell, 503-284-2681
• Stand for Children: Jonah Edelman 503-997-5355 or Holly Pruett, 503-348-0967

Statement from OSBA Executive Director Kevin McCann