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Education funding earns an �F� Summit calls for $5.2 billion from state By PAUL FATTIG Oregon is failing its students when it comes to funding public schools. That was the conclusion of about 30 parents, educators, school district superintendents and state legislators who gathered in Medford Saturday for a school funding summit. The summit was organized by the Coalition for School Funding NOW!, a statewide grassroots organization whose Quality Education Model calls for funding levels at a minimum $5.2 billion in school funding. The coalition�s model is not a panacea but meeting its goals would be a major step in providing quality education, explained Medford resident Bill Thorndike, a coalition member. The problem is that funding is not keeping pace with the rising cost of educating the state�s students, said State Treasurer Randall Edwards, guest speaker and a coalition supporter. Gov. John Kitzhaber, who used the coalition�s model as a guide, is also calling for $5.2 billion to fund Oregon�s public schools, he noted. That represents about a 4.5 percent increase in current spending, he said. "With this model, we have a good beginning point," said Edwards whose wife, Julia, is a school district board member in Portland. They have three young children. "The challenge before us is how we take this model to the public and get the public behind it," said the former legislator. "My experience in the legislature is that there are no silver bullets in this debate." Yet he stressed that Oregon�s future rides on the outcome of the debate. "If we don�t meet the educational requirements of the new economy, we will continue to struggle," he said. "You are the voice in Salem � you are very powerful," he added. "Salem will listen to you." The current cycle of funding problems began with the 1990 passage of Measure 5 which placed a cap on property taxes. The measure reduced reliance on property taxes to provide the lion�s share of education funding while requiring the state to pick up the slack. While the booming economy in the 1990s helped stave off some educational cuts, the recent economic downturn has delt a blow to the state�s educational funding, officials warn. Many complained of a shrinking number of teachers dealing with a growing number of students in the classroom. Some local districts have passed bonds for capital improvements, but that funding cannot be used for hiring teachers and other personnel. Charles Hellman, superintendent of the Rogue River School District, said his district has been cutting its budget each year for the past five years. "They keep asking us to tighten our belts � I don�t have a belt left," he said. Central Point School District Superintendent Candace Manary, echoed his sentiments. "We try to protect the integrity of the classroom with what we have, then go from there," she said. Small schools are suffering the same problems as big schools, said Don Alexander, superintendent of the Prospect School District. "We are in a position where we just can�t cut anymore," he said. Steve Wisely, superintendent of the Medford School District, noting that his district is also feeling the budgetary pinch, warned that, even if the $5.2 billion figure is approved in Salem, the amount that trickles down to Oregon�s schools will likely be less. "We want them (legislators) to know we will settle for no less than $5.2 billion � no cuts," stressed Amy Amrhein, a member of the Ashland School Board and a co-chair of the coalition. Peggy Penland, a Medford School Board member and a member of the coalition�s steering committee, agreed. "Legislators need to hear from us � we have information they do not have," she said, referring to the in-the-school impacts of funding problems. During the summit, state legislators Rep. Cheryl Walker, R-Murphy, and Rep. Alan Bates, D-Eagle Point, pledged to support the $5.2 billion figure for education. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.