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La Grande School District board outlines 2025 legislative priorities, urges stronger school funding
Summary
Superintendent George Mendoza and board members discussed legislative priorities for the 2025 session, including advocating for a higher State School Fund level (11.8), concern about PERS impacts (estimated around $1 million), and calls for stronger special education staffing and funding.
The Board of Directors of La Grande School District No. 1 met Oct. 23 and prioritized state advocacy for the 2025 legislative session, focusing on school funding, PERS liability, and supports for special education staff. Superintendent George Mendoza shared takeaways from the Legislative Roadshow and told the board he "plans to continue to push for 11.8 for the State School Fund."
Directors framed the board's advocacy as twofold: seek stronger base funding while minimizing state-mandated accountability measures that could force the district to reallocate local priorities. Director Bruce Kevan said he opposed the state directing the district’s emphasis on attendance, arguing the district should set local priorities. Director Merle Comfort criticized what he described as state bailouts to larger districts that did not budget properly while La Grande SD budgets conservatively.
Board members discussed PERS cost pressure and special education needs as central to their lobbying strategy. Superintendent Mendoza reported that PERS increases "will potentially cost LGSD around 1 million dollars," a district estimate discussed during the meeting. Members stressed that La Grande SD averages about 18% of students served in special education and said the state funding floor of 11% (as discussed at the roadshow) is insufficient for the district’s needs. The board encouraged members to advocate for stronger supports for SPED teachers and funding approaches that recognize higher local SPED populations.
No formal votes or policy changes were adopted at the session; the board agreed to continue refining its advocacy priorities ahead of the 2025 legislative session and to return to the topics at future meetings.
