February 18, 2009
Page A3
Fortiani» (iDhseruer Black History Month
Advocates Rally at Capitol Thai Food Café
Want schools
saved from
deep cuts
(A P) — Several thousand
parents, students and teachers
converged on the State Capitol
in Salem Monday to urge law
m akers to p ro tect O regon's
schools from deep cuts and keep
schools open for a full school
year.
T aking advantage o f the
Presidents Day holiday, the vari
ous school advocates massed on
the Capitol's front steps to press
their case that lawmakers should
dip into reserve funds, raise new
revenue or take other steps to
keep schools afloat into June.
The federal stim ulus plan
awaiting President Obama's sig
nature Tuesday offers help for
Oregon's schools, but it might
not be enough to avert all bud
get cuts in light of the state's
worsening revenue picture.
That's why Oregon lawmak An estimated 5,000 people showed up at the State
ers need to consider, among Capitol in Salem Monday to urge lawmakers to protect
other things, using the nearly public schools from deep cuts and keep schools open for
$400 million in the state's educa a full school year.
tion reserve fund to protect organized by Stand for Children. more than that," she said.
schools, some school boosters
Senate P resident P eter
A shortened school year is a
said Monday.
real possibility in districts across Courtney and House Speaker
"If we have to dip into re Oregon unless lawmakers find a Dave Hunt, who spoke at the
serves to keep this school year
way to preserve funding rally, said they are committed to
whole, then I absolutely support
through the remainder of the cur making Oregon school children
us doing that," said state School
a top priority, but the state's dis
rent budget, Castillo said.
Superintendent Susan Castillo,
"We've had some districts tell mal revenue picture is going to
who joined the crowds of stu
us it could be cut by two weeks, force lawmakers to make tough
dents and parents for the rally
and others have said it could be choices.
"1 can make no promises here
today," Courtney said. "I will do
my best to protect the interests
of Oregon's children."
Hunt said there are "no easy
answers" for schools in this
deepening recession.
"The next couple of years are
going to be tough. We can't
avoid that," he said.
As legislative leaders spoke,
students in the crowd waved
signs that read, "SOS-Save our
Schools," and " Kids are a Great
Investment."
A new state revenue forecast
due out Friday could bring more
bad news for lawmakers who are
required by law to balance the
current budget that already is
$800 million short. Also, state
officials are trying to determine
exactly how much money the
federal stimulus package ap
proved last by Congress last
w eek w ill bring to O regon
schools, and when and how it
can be spent.
833 North K illingsw orth Street, Portland,
O regon 97217 • Tel.(503) 285-8745
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Salutes
Black History
Month
Gerald M. Chase
Richard L. Weil
Attorneys at Law
722 SW 2nd Âve. Suite 240
f t
B e tte r a t th e B e a c h !
i tw o k \v ¡ r\d ¡
CASINO RESORT
CHINOOK W INDS CASINO RESORT
Students line up outside the business office at Portland Community College's Cascade
Campus in north Portland.
Bad Economy Hurts PCC Budget
With the increase in core credit enrollment,
passage of a recent bond measure and expan
sion of sustainability initiatives, the
cuts to funding have put even more
pressure on college leaders to keep
More students are turning to Port
PCC affordable and accessible to
land Community College for higher
everyone
in the community.
education at the same time state sup
Any
decision
to increase tuition
port for its operating costs are evapo
or
fees
will
be
made
by the PCC
rating because of the economic down
Board
of
Directors.
turn.
"This recession is driving more
Overall, the number of students tak
students to community colleges,"
ing classes at PCC grew by 4.2 percent
said Denise Frisbee, who chairs the
this fall, but increased 11.4 percent
board. "In tough economic times,
when you factor full-time equivalent Preston Pulliams
PCC is the ‘first responder' for work
(FTE) students.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski proposed $485 million ers who are laid off, whose companies fail, or
for the Community College Support Fund in the who are looking to bolster their resume. We are q
2009-11 biennium, but due to the rapid deterio a safety net for the workforce."
Pulliams said that the college is working with
ration of the economy, that figure will likely be
reduced another $50 million. Overall, the PCC state and local leaders to communicate these
messages and build awareness of the commu
expects state support for operation costs will
nity college's value.
be reduced by 13 percent.
"Despite these budget challenges, we will
"With this level of funding, we will have real
budget challenges for the biennium," said PCC need to make sure that we maintain a foundation
President Preston Pulliams. "We estimate state of programs and services that we can build on
funding to PCC would be reduced by $9.8 mil when the economy recovers,” Pulliams said, “If
we do, PCC's future will continue to be on solid
lion in the first year of the biennium and $8
ground."
million in the second year."
Pinches operations as
enrollment grows
March
13 & 14, 2009
Tickets
$ 3 0 -$ 4 5
ON SALE NOW!
ON THE BEACH IN L IN C O L N C ITY
c’f TSorthmh (lObseruer
Former Gang Leader Talks
A nationally known African P.O.S.S.E. (Peers Organized to
American speaker and former Support Student Excellence),
Kansas City gang leader who will lead the “What Kids Know
works to eradicate gang vio and Parents Wish They Did,’’
lence in communities acrwsk the workshop on Saturday, Feb. 28
country will lead a free work from 10 a.m. to 2:30p.m. at the
shop for parents in Vancouver. Southw est W ashington boys
Osseo Boltort, the founder of and Girls Club. 409 N.E. Artdcr-
son Rd. in Vancouver.
Other expert speakers will ad
dress topics that include drugs
and alcohol, talking with your
kids, and healthy relationships.
Parents must register by call
ing the Boys A Girls Club at
360-567-1152.
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