Board hears federal and state legislative updates: vouchers, Title I/IDEA funding and wildfire ADM relief on members' radar

Board members and district staff reported on national and state education-policy developments that could affect Phoenix-Talent SD 4’s funding and programs.

The board’s legislative update focused on federal proposals discussed at recent meetings in Washington, D.C., and on state bills in the Oregon Legislature. District representatives said federal proposals under discussion include expanded voucher-like funding streams and proposals affecting the role of the U.S. Department of Education. The board heard about a bill discussed in Washington, D.C., referred to in the meeting as “HR 99,” described by the presenter as a proposal to eliminate the Department of Education; presenters said much of the likely leverage would be through control of funding rather than direct elimination of…