Board members press state legislators on special‑education funding cap and current‑service level

Beaverton School District board members told the March 11 budget committee they have been active in state advocacy focused on preserving current service levels in the state school fund and addressing special‑education funding shortfalls.

A board member said the district joined neighboring districts in the Washington County region to present two top legislative priorities to state lawmakers: protecting current‑service funding for schools and addressing funding for high‑cost special‑education needs. The board member said raising or eliminating the cap on special‑education funding (the portion districts must fund locally for high‑cost students) was a specific priority.

Board members encouraged participation in a forthcoming legislative hearing. Tammy Carpenter noted a public hearing on March 13 in Salem and suggested members of the public can submit written testimony through the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS).

Why it matters: special‑education costs can drive local budget pressure when state reimbursement or aid does not fully cover high‑cost students. Board members said coordinated advocacy with nearby districts aims to amplify the district’s ask to state legislators.

District staff said board members lead legislative outreach and that staff typically avoid direct lobbying; the board’s advocacy work and visits to schools are intended to make the district’s needs visible to lawmakers.

The board member also said the district’s legislative priorities document (including high‑cost disabilities and the current‑service level request) can be shared with budget committee members and staff.