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As districts are making the tough decisions about what to cut they should attempt to ensure that students feel the impact the least.

Districts across Oregon could benefit by taking a look at their business practices to see if any efficiencies can be found. School districts in Central Oregon, in partnership with the High Desert ESD, found through such a study that if Crook County, Sisters and Redmond combined their fiscal and technology services with a partner like the ESD, they could see $500,000 in on-going, annual savings.

The study also suggests that it is likely that districts across Oregon could find efficiencies by regionalizing certain services so that those services reach 4,500 or more students.

This is not work that can be done overnight, but it is work that is essential to keeping dollars in the classroom where they matter most.

The full report is available at: http://www.chalkboardproject.org/images/ECOESDefficiencyFinal.pdf

posted 1 year, 10 months ago
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In  2007, the Chalkboard Project fought hard to reduce K-1 class size to 15 students. This legislation was supported by research and the will of Oregonians, but did not make it through the session. Stable and adequate funding has been an issue in our state for years and without the hope of systematic reforms on the horizon, Oregon’s school districts will have to continue to make tough decisions when it comes to spending their limited funds. K-1 class size reduction is still a wise investment and so is teacher effectiveness. Research shows that having an effective teacher in the classroom is the most important factor in raising student achievement. We must focus our efforts on research-based practices to raise student achievement. -Sue Hildick, President, Chalkboard Project

posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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