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Coalition goal: Make education 'No. 1' Medford member of state schools panel says it's time to back up rhetoric By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune A newly formed statewide education coalition, which includes a Medford school board member, has been given the task of spending $400,000 in an attempt to solve Oregon's education funding crisis. Medford's Peggy Penland, who became secretary-treasurer of the Oregon School Boards Association this week, said the coalition will be similar to School Funding Now, which also seeks to make sure education is properly funded. The coalition, spearheaded by the OSBA, hasn't been given a name yet. But it has been given a mission: to prod legislators, the governor and others to fully fund education, which is in danger of budget cuts in a worsening economy. The coalition, which hasn't officially met yet, will use the $400,000 to conduct polls and set up meetings and seminars to lobby for better education funding. Penland said the coalition hasn't yet determined how all the money will be spent, but the OSBA realizes this must be a multiyear effort. "We waited for the Legislature to do something," said Penland. "We waited for the governor to do something. But nobody has, so we're taking the bull by the horns." With school districts throughout Jackson County forced to lay off personnel this year because of shortfalls, Penland is worried that districts could face similar problems in the coming year if something isn't done now. "Everyone says that education is No. 1," she said. "You have got to put your money where your mouth is." Gov. John Kitzhaber has asked every state agency, including the Department of Education, to prepare budget reductions ranging from 2 percent to 10 percent. State officials believe the state economy will affect the amount of money that flows into the general fund, citing potential losses ranging from $500 million to $700 million. Penland said some have suggested that new programs spawned in the last legislative session should be the first to go. One of these was a reading program for elementary students budgeted at $220 million. Penland worries that legislators could just cut off the funding to save money, not giving districts the option of using the money to encourage literacy. "I am not arguing that reading isn't important," she said. "But the school board should make that decision." In general, she believes that legislators have been told what quality education is and how much it costs. If they are suddenly told that quality education doesn't matter in these rough times, it might give them an excuse to further cut funding. School systems have tailored curricula more and more to match state standards, and Penland hopes the budget crisis doesn't affect this. "I'm totally for the standards," she said. "I think the school reform has worked well." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.