Gresham, OR Employment Attorney News Archive

Democratic lawmakers in Oregon are pushing for a significant reform of the state's outdated school funding model. Led by Sen. Janeen Sollman of Hillsboro and Rep. Ricki Ruiz of Gresham, this bold initiative aims to replace the current Quality Education Model with a data-driven approach developed by an independent research entity. The goal is to better serve the diverse educational needs of both urban and rural communities.

However, the proposal is facing strong opposition from educational advocacy groups in Salem. Emily McLain, director of the Oregon Education Association, has voiced concerns about the plan, criticizing it for lacking public transparency and accountability. She fears that critical factors essential for effective education may be overlooked in the new model.

In response to these criticisms, Sen. Sollman has emphasized the urgent need for change. She believes that a more precise funding blueprint is essential for improving student achievement across the state of Oregon.

Support for the reforms is growing among local superintendents, including Frank Caropelo of the Reynolds School District. They advocate for a more adaptable funding model, one that can effectively address the increasingly complex challenges faced by Oregon's schools.