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 Business hours Lunch M onday- Friday 11:00am -3:30pm Dinner M onday- Friday 3:00-pm — 9:00pm Saturday-Sunday noon-9:(X)pm urbanspoon.com North Portland C h a s e & Weil, LLP 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. Established 1970 USPS 959-680______________________________ 4747 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Portland. OR 97211 Charles H. Washington Enirop M ic h a e l L e ig h to n D ism itinoN MsNAdtii: M a rk W a s h in g to n CutATivr. D ik k ct o k : P a u l N e u je ld t 1 -8 8 8 -C H IN O O K The Portland Observer welcomes freelance sub missions Manuscript» and ph«itographs should he clearly labeled and w ill be relumed if accompa med by a self addressed envelope A ll created design display ads become the sole property o f the new spaper and cannot he used in other publi- E n iro n -iN -C H iff. 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