Salem-Keizer School Board Approves 2024-25 Legislative Priorities

At its regularly scheduled September 10 meeting, the Salem-Keizer School Board of Directors voted to adopt their previously outlined 2024-25 legislative priorities ahead of the 2025 legislative long session.

With Oregon State legislators set to convene in January for their session that will include adopting a two-year state budget, the board's action reflects the need for more funding to support student programs and resources.

The board calls on elected officials to increase funding in key areas to benefit students across Oregon.

Legislative Priorities

In part, the legislative priorities call for the following actions:

• Establish an accurate method for calculating the true costs of schools
• Exercise caution in creating new, restricted grant programs
• Correct past and suspend future unfunded/underfunded mandates
• Increase special education funding and support

The full document outlining legislative priorities identifies tens of millions of dollars that would benefit SKPS students if fully acted upon.

The 2025 session and the 2025-27 biennial funding are critical to the educational and economic future of Salem-Keizer and school districts throughout Oregon. The combined impact of stagnating state funding, the loss of federal COVID recovery relief, inflationary pressures, and new student and community needs have created an urgent need for legislative education and action.

By establishing these priorities early, the board and staff can advocate for the needs of the district and share their collective position throughout the community.