|
Hello Friends,
The
February 2018 session is just around the corner. I’ve spent this week in Salem,
along with my colleagues and staff, preparing for it.
Because
the session is scheduled to begin February 5 and must end no later than March
11, Senators are limited to one priority bill each. My priority bill has taken
the form of Senate
Bill 1530.
If
passed into law, SB 1530 would form a 16-member Task Force on Public Education
Planning. The task force would be charged with developing a 10-year plan for
public education, kindergarten through high school, with an emphasis on
reducing class sizes, increasing teacher retention and providing stable
funding.
The
Senate President would appoint two members of that chamber from both the
majority and minority party, and the Speaker of the House would do the same. Eight
members would be appointed by the Governor, with two from an organization
representing educators, two representing school district boards, two
representing educational employees and two at-large Oregon residents.
Once
it is formed, the Task Force would be required to submit a report that may
include recommendations for legislation to the interim House and Senate
education committees by November 30. That would give it adequate time to draft
bills for the longer 2019 session.
SB
1530 would take effect 91 days after the short session adjourns. It is being
co-sponsored by Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate.
As
a former member of the Ashland School Board, I have long been troubled by the
lack of a long-term plan when it comes to public education in this state. Oregon
has consistently ranked among the worst in the nation when it comes to high
school graduation rates, despite higher levels of state funding over time. It
is my hope that by passing SB 1530, we will be able to address some of the
issues that are preventing our students from being as successful as they can,
and should, be.
Along
those same lines, I have been appointed to serve on the Joint Committee on Student
Success. That body held its first meeting on Friday, January 12. It is
co-chaired by Sen. Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay) and Rep. Barbara Smith Warner
(D-Portland). The other members are Sen. Brian Boquist (R-Dallas), Rep. Greg
Smith (R-Heppner), Sen. Mark Hass (D-Beaverton), Sen. Tim Knopp (R-Bend), Sen.
Kathleen Taylor (D-Portland), Sen. Ginny Burdick (D-Portland), Rep. Brian Clem
(D-Salem), Rep. Diego Hernandez (D-Portland), Rep. Julie Fahey (D-Junction
City), Rep. Sherrie Sprenger (R-Scio) and Rep. Carl Wilson (R-Grants Pass).
The
Committee will be embarking on a statewide tour following the adjournment of
the 2018 session. I will release a newsletter with the details of the tour once
they become available.
Yours truly,
Sen. Alan DeBoer
Senate District 3
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1703
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-421, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: sen.AlanDeBoer@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/deboer
| 
