House Republicans announced their support for $9.6 billion to fully fund schools. This amount was requested by the state’s education leaders to support the 2021-2022 school year and will contribute to fully reopening Oregon schools for the option of in-person learning by the fall.
“Our kids have lost a year of education,” said State Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner.) “Now more than ever we need to double down to make sure they have all the resources they need to succeed.”
“Oregon’s kids are our future and they deserve the very best opportunities we can give them. That means fully funding education with adequate, stable, and accountable dollars,” said State Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane.) “Our top priority must be to ensure that as our kids come out of this pandemic, and our schools and school districts restructure themselves, they have all the tools necessary to rebuild and overcome the setbacks. Let’s get this done for our kids.”
Submitted testimonies on SB 5514 from school administrators, the statewide teachers union and other education supporters say that anything less than a $9.6 billion state school fund will force school districts to make layoffs and other cuts.
The push from House Republicans comes a week after announcing HB 3399, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would reopen Oregon’s schools to give parents the option of 100 percent in-person learning by the 2021-2022 school year.
