EDUCATION

Our education system must become the best at preparing students to become caring citizens who participate fully in our community. The Oregon Educational Act for the 21^st Century sets standards of student achievement and goals for what we teach our children. Yet we face grave concerns in our community about the funding to achieve this vision. Sustaining adequate and stable funding is essential for local schools to succeed. However, through tax reduction ballot initiatives, Oregonians have shifted school funding to the state general fund (from local property taxes to state income taxes). At this level, school funding has been equalized across the state, which has adversely affected the largest districts in and around the Portland metropolitan region. In addition, families with school-age children are migrating out of Multnomah County, further reducing available school funds. Post-secondary education funding must also be sufficient to provide for the changing skills and research needed in today’s increasingly knowledge-based economy. (156 words)