Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislative Priorities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Medford School Board lays out three legislative priorities for state lawmakers
Summary
Board Chair Cynthia Wright told state legislators the district seeks funding stability, more special education resources and relief from unfunded mandates, citing a subcommittee-led priorities list developed with staff and unions.
Board Chair Cynthia Wright told attending legislators on Oct. 22 that the Medford School District’s top legislative asks are targeted at funding stability and special education. Wright said the board’s priorities—developed by a subcommittee that included Medford Education Association and Oregon School Employees Association representatives, district staff and board members—are: “Fund sustainable, high-quality public education,” “Increase special education funding,” and “Stop passing unfunded mandates.”
Wright presented the priorities as a package intended to guide the district’s advocacy in the 2025 legislative session. Superintendent Bret Champion provided a District At‑A‑Glance handout and invited the legislators to district events to see classroom impacts firsthand. The board emphasized that the priorities reflect both structural funding concerns—such as state school fund distribution and biennial budgeting—and specific program needs including special education staffing and supports.
The meeting, convened as a Lunch & Learn at the district office, included brief discussion with Senator Jeff Golden and Representatives Kim Wallen and Pam Marsh, who asked clarifying questions about how the district determines eligibility and budgets for services. The Board concluded the session by thanking the legislators for attending; the meeting adjourned at 1:06 PM.
