Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Has there been a show recently on K- 12 education and budget cuts? What are school districts across Oregon doing to prepare for more budget shortfalls next year? What changes will save the most money with the least impact/ disruption to students??

Lake Oswego SD is proposing 3 elem. school closures (see website:  www.loswego.k12.or.us & go to strategic planning for more info.). Parents (see website: LOunitedforschools.org for more info.) aren't sure the savings (3% of total budget, maybe 15% of budget shortfall) are worth the impact closures would have on the students & neighborhoods. Is the loss of this sense of community (neighborhood schools) & disruption to thousands of students the answer?  Is this really the last straw?  What else can be done??

Everyone realizes cuts are inevitable but we need to look at the whole picture.  What else can be done to save (raise) money?  What are other districts doing?  What about PPS (they had closures and redisign- K-8's several years ago)- how is this going?  Some neighborhood closures were avoided- who decided?? 

What can we do as a state, nation keep our public education system funded properly?  And make it top rated??  After all, education is the key to our future (and savings in other services down the road)

These Q's (and more I'm sure) could be explored on your show w/ a panel of people- administrator(s), school board member(s), teacher(s), parent(s), etc.

Thanks & let me know what you think.

posted 1 year, 4 months ago
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