Hi mamas! I just wanted to share with you an e-mail that I got from the PTA at my dsd's elementary school in Portland. Oh, this is so disheartening! I can't believe that we live in the richest country in the world and we can't offer our children adequate education and activities. Please take a moment to read this and check out the links. I am planning on attending the Stand for Children Rally, I hope some of you will join me in support of our children and their future!
Jenn
"Now, the bad news for education funding in Oregon:
As required by state law, Governor Kulongoski has released a report on the adequacy of his education spending plans, and he concedes that there's not enough money for education (see another article from yesterday's Oregonian, "School budget forecast: Gloomy"
http://www.oregonlive.com/search/ind...oregonian?fpfp).
Here's a quote from the article: "But he [Kulongoski] also said it [the proposed budget for education] probably would spell an end to improving reading and math achievement that marked the state's public schools over the past decade."
"He added, "Students will have fewer opportunities to achieve in other academic areas as the curriculum becomes narrower, instructional time is reduced, and schools are less able to meet diverse student needs."
In other words, fewer teachers, larger classes, short school year, fewer services.
According to a recent e-mail from School Board Chairs Bobbie Regan and David Wynde, the governor's budget would result in a cut of at least $16 million a year from PPS. This is in addition to expected revenue deficits resulting from the expiration of the property tax levy (which is different from the temporary income tax).
What you can do
Two events in Salem are coming up:
*PTA is holding a legislative workshop in Salem on February 17th. Go to http://www.oregonpta.org/ for more information and to register.
*On Monday, February 21, thousands of schools advocates will be rallying at the
State Capitol to call for a responsible school funding level. JOIN US at noon on the Capitol steps.
Twenty buses will be leaving from Portland. For more information on
the rally, to sign up for the bus, contact Shannon at Stand for Children
at 503-235-2305 ext. 103, go to http://www.stand.org/ or email Shannon@stand.org.
The state's leading schools advocates are joining forces on this
effort: Stand for Children, the Oregon PTA, the Coalition for School
Funding now, the Oregon Business Association, the Bus Project, the
Oregon Education Association and Portland Association of Teachers, and
more."
Jenn
"Now, the bad news for education funding in Oregon:
As required by state law, Governor Kulongoski has released a report on the adequacy of his education spending plans, and he concedes that there's not enough money for education (see another article from yesterday's Oregonian, "School budget forecast: Gloomy"
http://www.oregonlive.com/search/ind...oregonian?fpfp).
Here's a quote from the article: "But he [Kulongoski] also said it [the proposed budget for education] probably would spell an end to improving reading and math achievement that marked the state's public schools over the past decade."
"He added, "Students will have fewer opportunities to achieve in other academic areas as the curriculum becomes narrower, instructional time is reduced, and schools are less able to meet diverse student needs."
In other words, fewer teachers, larger classes, short school year, fewer services.
According to a recent e-mail from School Board Chairs Bobbie Regan and David Wynde, the governor's budget would result in a cut of at least $16 million a year from PPS. This is in addition to expected revenue deficits resulting from the expiration of the property tax levy (which is different from the temporary income tax).
What you can do
Two events in Salem are coming up:
*PTA is holding a legislative workshop in Salem on February 17th. Go to http://www.oregonpta.org/ for more information and to register.
*On Monday, February 21, thousands of schools advocates will be rallying at the
State Capitol to call for a responsible school funding level. JOIN US at noon on the Capitol steps.
Twenty buses will be leaving from Portland. For more information on
the rally, to sign up for the bus, contact Shannon at Stand for Children
at 503-235-2305 ext. 103, go to http://www.stand.org/ or email Shannon@stand.org.
The state's leading schools advocates are joining forces on this
effort: Stand for Children, the Oregon PTA, the Coalition for School
Funding now, the Oregon Business Association, the Bus Project, the
Oregon Education Association and Portland Association of Teachers, and
more."