Oregon House Approves K-12 Education Budget

Budget Plan Calls for $500 Million Ending Fund Balance.

Salem elementary school students KATU/Salem-News.com photo by Tim King

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon House today approved a K-12 budget of $6 billion for the next two years, setting aside $200 million of those funds into a special purpose account to help save funds if the economy continues to decline. The House approved the bill 42-17.

Ways and Means Co-Chair Peter Buckley said putting aside $200 million of the $6 billion gives schools confidence to budget at a higher level for the coming school year, while not asking K-12 to take the bulk of the cuts should the reserve funds be needed elsewhere later in the biennium.

“We believe the budget we have proposed recognizes the needs of our schools, yet also realizes that our economy may not be done retracting,” said Buckley (D-Ashland).

“Nothing is more important the proper funding for our schools. The fiscally conservative approach we have taken allows us to save money in a special account dedicated to schools.”

House Speaker Dave Hunt said legislators were passing the K-12 budget today, knowing that the Governor has threatened to veto the school funding bill.

“This disagreement amounts to whether we have $700 million or $500 million in our reserves and ending fund balance for the 2009-2011 budget,” said Hunt (D-Clackamas County).

“Our plan gives schools some additional security as they budget for the 09-10 school year while still setting aside a substantial amount of funds as a cushion against further economic downturns.”

With approval of the K-12 budget, the House now sends the bill to the Governor for his consideration.

While awaiting the Governor’s decision, the House plans to finish the rest of its work and be ready to close the session at the end of the week.

“We are moving forward with our balanced budget plan and with our continuing efforts at job growth as we strive to get Oregonians back to work and protect our core services,” said State Rep. David Edwards (D-Hillsboro).

“While we would all like to dedicate more money to our schools, the $6 billion in funding is a level that will keep school districts intact as we weather the recession gripping our nation.”

Source: Oregon House of Representatives