Parkrose board readies legislative advocacy as budget outlook raises concerns over special‑education costs and PERS

District leaders asked the Parkrose School District Board of Education to prepare for advocacy in Salem, saying the governor’s proposed K‑12 funding level could leave a first‑year shortfall and a significantly larger second‑year deficit.

The superintendent urged board members to prioritize advocacy on the special‑education cap and the high‑cost disability account. Staff said Parkrose currently spends materially more per pupil than the state average; the superintendent cited an approximate district average cost per student of $17,000 while state funding per student is about $11,000 — a gap staff said is widening and increases pressure on the general fund.

Finance staff flagged two specific levers for advocacy: raising the special‑education cap (staff contrasted an 11% cap with a hypothetical 15% cap) and increasing coverage of high‑cost special‑education expenses. The superintendent asked Chief Financial Officer Shari (surname not specified) to prepare a work‑session presentation showing how different state funding scenarios (11% vs. 15% and different levels of high‑cost coverage) would affect Parkrose’s budget and potential deficit exposure in year two.

Officials also said Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) rate increases will add roughly $1 million in costs next year, and that a districtwide spending freeze will be announced at the end of February to slow discretionary spending while preserving payroll and grant commitments. The superintendent said the district will emphasize to legislators that special‑education underfunding is a primary driver of the local budget gap.

Ending: The board agreed to schedule advocacy briefings and an advocacy day in late February or early March, and requested staff provide concrete dollar impacts of alternative funding scenarios for use in meetings with legislators and community outreach.