Parkrose superintendent urges state funding reform as district faces staff cuts

The superintendent presented a proposed legislative strategy for 2027, urging the board to reframe conversations with legislators from "give us more money" to examining how the state school-fund distribution formula allocates resources.

He said the district is preparing a one-page messaging document to explain how the formula and other structural factors (including PERS obligations) affect local budgets. "We're not getting the revenue to support those ideas," he said, pointing to pressure from rising pension and liability costs and noting the district is planning to reduce staffing by about 26 full-time equivalents next year.

The superintendent said he is working with a coalition of administrators and a policy adviser named Pooja Bhatt to refine proposals and talking points. He urged the board to consider shared accountability with the state: if legislators require districts to deliver new programs, the superintendent argued, the state should pair those requirements with funding or supports.

Board members discussed message discipline for legislative outreach, the importance of simple talking points, and possible local community education to build support ahead of any levy or bond conversations. The superintendent noted there are examples from other states that manage capital funding differently and said Parkrose will try to identify specific statutory fixes or revenue options rather than only seeking a larger lump sum.

The board had no formal vote on legislative items at the meeting; the superintendent said staff will develop the one-page materials and return with options for board endorsement.