Dear Chapman Families,
It is truly a critical time in Oregon’s public schools, as the state faces major funding shortfalls. Portland Public Schools (PPS) anticipates over $17 million shortfall which means a reduction in services and staff. Portland schools will see bigger class sizes, fewer support staff (counselors, ELL teachers, learning resource teachers, Assistant Principals, and more). At Chapman next year, we may have many as 31 students in first grade classrooms and 36 in fifth grade. The funding crisis starts at the state level, and unless something changes while the Oregon legislature is in session now, our schools will continue to be chronically underfunded.
The lack of state funding is not an issue that will go away if we fundraise more for our school this year or next year, or the year after. If our leaders do not make policy changes, our schools will continue to be underfunded and the shortfall will get greater and greater, making it impossible for parents to fundraise their way out of it.
NOW is the time to let our state leaders know education matters to us and force them to make bold changes to Oregon’s education funding.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Start with a quick push-button letter to our legislators:
Invest in students. Invest in success. Email your legislator today.
Attend the budget hearing in Portland this Thursday March 21st:
STATE BUDGET COMMUNITY HEARING – PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Date: March 21st, 2019
Where: Portland Community College – Cascade
MAHB 104 Auditorium
5514 N. Albina Ave.
PORTLAND, OR 97217
ATTEND PTA COFFEE:
This Friday March 22nd after Round Up!
LEARN MORE:
OSBA News
Oregon Legislator Recommendations
Money for schools, or for PERS?
Oregon Business Plan Revenue Report
Oregon Revenue Roundtable Proposal
Ready to write a letter?
2019 Talking Points
WHO CAN YOU WRITE TO?
Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward
Party: Democratic Party
District: 17
Phone: 503-986-1717
Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-213, Salem, OR 97301
Sen.ElizabethSteinerHayward@oregonlegislature.gov
http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/steinerhayward
Representative Mitch Greenlick
Party: Democratic Party
District: 33
Phone: 503-986-1433
Address: 900 Court St NE, H-493, Salem, OR, 97301
Rep.MitchGreenlick@oregonlegislature.gov
http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/greenlick
Suzanne Bonamici
Party: Democratic Party
District: Congressional District 1
Phone: 503-469-6010
Address: 12725 SW Millikan Way, Suite 220 Beaverton, OR 97005
Click to email
http://bonamici.house.gov
If you live adjacent to Chapman, check here to confirm who represents your district.
If you do write a letter, please share it with our community – share it on Friends of Chapman Facebook page, share it with other parents or send it to me.
Got other ideas, questions or comments? Please email them to me and let’s support public education in Oregon together.
Morgan Nystrom
Chapman PTA President
moko_77@yahoo.com
