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I listened carefully to the entire on-air program and although my previous comments had serious formatting errors, I am now not in a hurry to write & applaud OPB, Lena, Dalton, BT, and all of the speakers who contributed to the conversation this morning.
Am I alone or did I hear a light-bulb go on when Rep. Gelser referred to combining WA & OR State Schools as a possible solution, as well as, that "they" had been told by the director that academic curriculum at the school was out of the question?  The tone of the show turned to rejuvenating what the school offers now to include both traditional academic and extended core curriculum; not closure. 
It felt, in my opinion that the public is saying they want to keep the school open (far more comments of support) but also for reform to take place at the school…I say again, OK, but that means we MUST NOT let the Senate pass 2834.  We cannot just wait to see what happens this week; we must contact each and every Senator, Representative, as well as, the Governor www.leg.state.or.us.
The people are telling you, our state legislators, that they do not want this bill to pass and they do want to keep OSB as an option for our kids.  What exactly OSB should be, offer as services, & look like are things which our OSB Board of Directors are competent to lead us toward developing; they have new and different ideas, but they must be totally supported by all of us for a chance to do their work, say it with me..”I BELIEVE IN OSB-BOD”….quick someone make some slogan pins!!  Alioops!

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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I’m a teacher at the school and would like all of Oregon to better understand the concept of statements I have read lately, “Where did you get your information to base such an outlandish statementon?”     

OSB is a resource service agency as well as a residential school.   1. OSB serves nearly 400 of the Visually Impaired/Blind in Oregon in some capacity.
a.Individual costs are incorrect since the school serves many more that the residential students.
2. Various programs at NO cost to Local Districts serve students throughout the year: a. Assessments; b. Short term placements for specific Skills Development that is not available in their home program; c. After School Programs with the Regional Programs. Technology, & other Resource Information                  1) OSB has the most advanced Technology Center in Oregon
e. Annual Conference offers training in teaching VI children ESD staff attend.
3. Families of VI students find out that OSB exists and wonder why the programs offered at the school were/are never given as options during their child's IEP/Placement meeting.
a. Some families have to "fight" to get the placement at OSB
b. Local Districts/Regional programs lose the money tied to students when they come to OSB, plus have the responsibility for transportation costs.
4. OSB's enrichment programs are supported by partnerships with outside organizations.
5. HB 2834, = students will be served programs in their local community similar to what they are getting at OSB; a. local Districts are now talking about "altering"  IEP's to meet the student's needs within what the Local District can provide.

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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