In just a month, the “Promise” petition to legislators has already gained more than 6,300 signatures.
The petition urges lawmakers to fully fund Oregon’s schools, and is especially timely now that the House has passed a $7.25 billion State School Fund budget that school business officials say will lead to cutbacks in many districts. The state Senate is expected to consider the school funding legislation next week, possibly as early as Monday.
Betsy Miller-Jones, executive director of the Oregon School Boards Association, thanked the many schools advocates who have already signed the petition. She urges that parents, school board members, business people, teachers – anyone concerned about ensuring a bright future for Oregon – contact state senators to urge a “no” vote on the funding plan, House Bill 5017.
“The current bill doesn’t make the investment necessary for a high-quality education for every student,” Miller-Jones said. “We can do much better, and we must. Our children and their education should be our first priority.”
The “Promise” petition reads, in part:
“School districts across Oregon have faced financial uncertainty for far too long. Our schoolchildren have paid the price through larger class sizes, fewer school days and less robust curriculum offerings. This downward spiral must stop – now. It is time to fulfill our promise to our most precious resource — our children!”
