Funding for Lake Oswego's Sixth Grade Outdoor School Faces Significant Cuts

At the recent Lake Oswego School District 7J board meeting, a critical discussion unfolded regarding the funding for the sixth-grade outdoor school program. The board revealed that state funding for the program has been drastically reduced by over 20%, leaving a substantial gap in the budget that could impact student participation.

Mister Bailey presented the financial details, noting that the grant from Oregon State University (OSU) has dropped significantly, which now fails to cover the total costs associated with sending students to outdoor school. The per-student cost has surged from $800 to $956, creating a funding shortfall of approximately $195,000 if all 522 sixth graders attend.

The board acknowledged that historically, the grant fully funded all necessary expenses, including transportation and teacher stipends. However, with the new funding structure, the district faces a dilemma: how to manage the increased costs while ensuring that all interested students can participate.

Board members discussed potential strategies to address the funding gap, including surveying families to gauge their willingness to pay for the program. However, concerns were raised about the impact of high costs on participation rates, with some families potentially opting out if fees become too burdensome.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by the fact that the outdoor school is scheduled for the fall, leaving little time for the district to adjust plans or seek alternative funding sources. The board is exploring options but emphasized that they are legally required to offer the program, complicating their ability to delay or postpone it.

As the district navigates these financial challenges, the future of the outdoor school program remains uncertain, with board members committed to finding a solution that balances fiscal responsibility with educational opportunities for students.