Legislative Briefs
Absences for mental health
What it does: Oregon law requires enrolled students to regularly attend public school. Irregular attendance is defined as eight unexcused one-half day absences in any four-week school period. A principal or teacher may excuse an absence for sickness, family illness, emergencies, or other reasons if advance arrangements are made. House Bill 2191A would add mental or behavioral health issues to the list for excused absences. OSBA has not taken a position on this bill but is generally supportive of policy changes to address student mental health needs.
What’s new: This bill passed the Legislature and is awaiting Gov. Kate Brown’s signature. Effective July 1, 2019, this bill will apply to the 2019-20 school year.
Small schools formula
What it does: To qualify as a small high school, a school district must have a weighted average daily membership (ADMw) of less than 8,500. House Bill 2867 would increase this requirement to 9,500. There is currently one school district that has high schools that qualify as small high schools and has an ADMw that is approaching the 8,500 cap. Under current law, if Klamath County School District were to go over the ADMw cap, it would lose its small high school-based formula revenue. This bill creates a pathway for this school district to continue its small high school status. This bill does not change the total formula revenue, nor does it alter any other small high school requirements. OSBA supports this bill.
What’s new: The Senate Finance and Revenue Committee passed the bill, and it is scheduled for a Senate vote Tuesday, June 18.
Foster child school placement
What it does: Oregon law specifies that children involuntarily placed into foster care should attend their original school unless it is in the children's best interest to enroll in another school district. In the case of a voluntary placement, Oregon law is silent on where the child should go to school. SB 905A would create a general rule that children who are voluntarily placed in a public or private agency by their parent or guardian will attend school in the district where they are voluntarily placed. The bill provides an exception to allow children to attend school in the district where their parents or guardians reside, when specific criteria are met. OSBA supports this bill.
What’s new: This bill passed the House on June 3 and was heard by the Senate Rules Committee on Thursday, June 13.