A recession is coming but Oregon is better situated than a lot of states, OSBA Executive Director Jim Green said Thursday.
State School Fund allotments are safe for the upcoming school year, and Oregon has $1.35 billion in its reserve funds as of the March report.
Green was joined by OSBA Legislative Services Director Lori Sattenspiel and OSBA Board President Kevin Cassidy (Baker School District) on a recorded webinar to share coronavirus-related information and answer questions. The hourlong conversation touched on the State School Fund, Measure 98, budgeting, federal relief money, next steps and school board members’ role.
“Support your district’s efforts and what they are saying out in the public and support your staff,” Green said.
With the onslaught of school disruptions in less than a month’s time, district staff have been scrambling with operational challenges. School board members should provide a conduit to the community and offer a consistent message, he said.
Green also urged school board members to find creative ways to celebrate students and staff and to contact their legislators about protecting the tax supporting the Student Success Act against efforts to delay it.
School board members will have a much bigger role to play as they work on budgets, Green said. Financial questions weighed on attendees’ minds. Green said schools would have a better picture after the May 20 economic report to the Legislature.
Green said more guidance is coming, and encouraged members to keep checking OSBA’s COVID-19 FAQ and the Oregon Department of Education’s COVID-19 webpage.
