Lawmakers Debate School Funding, Special Education, and Student Safety
Funding Challenges Amid Declining Enrollment
Oregon lawmakers opened the 2025 legislative session with a primary focus on determining the state’s investment in public schools for the next biennium. The State School Fund, the central source of funding for Oregon’s 197 school districts, operates on a two-year cycle and remains a critical area of discussion. However, declining public school enrollment and rising operational costs pose significant challenges.
Governor Tina Kotek has proposed restructuring the state’s funding formula to ensure more equitable resource allocation across districts. Her proposed budget for the 2025-27 biennium allocates $11.3 billion to school districts, along with investments in the Early Literacy Initiative and Summer Learning programs. Yet, escalating retirement costs are expected to offset much of the financial relief from these measures.
Legislators are also considering accountability measures, including Senate Bill 302 and House Bill 2453, to evaluate the adequacy of the state’s K-12 education system. Additionally, Senate Bill 311 proposes a study on the sufficiency of state funding, addressing long-standing concerns raised by the Quality Education Commission, which has consistently recommended higher funding levels.
Addressing Special Education and Mental Health Needs
Special education funding has emerged as a key topic. Currently, school districts receive additional funding for students with disabilities, capped at 11% of a district’s student population. However, approximately 15% of Oregon students, or over 82,000 children, require special education services, creating a funding gap. Proposals in this session aim to raise or eliminate the cap to better meet the needs of these students without compromising resources for others.
Mental health and safety are also priorities for lawmakers. House Bill 2392 would mandate individualized suicide prevention plans for students demonstrating suicidal behavior. Additionally, Senate Bill 544 proposes installing vapor detection devices in large high schools to curb vaping, while House Bill 3083 revisits installing panic devices in schools to enhance emergency preparedness.
Other safety-related measures include Senate Bill 631, which would require school boards to implement child sexual abuse prevention programs that address sex trafficking. House Bill 2180 proposes studying the hiring of retired police officers as school security personnel, reflecting a broader effort to improve student safety amid rising concerns about gun violence and other threats.
Student Experience and Community Impact
Several bills this session target the daily lives of students and their families. House Bill 2251 would require districts to adopt policies banning personal electronic devices in schools, a measure aimed at improving focus and reducing distractions. Meanwhile, House Bill 2359 seeks to ensure high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m., aligning with research advocating for later start times to benefit adolescent health and academic performance.
Legislation also addresses broader community issues, such as wildfire recovery. House Bills 3149 and 3165 propose increased funding for districts affected by wildfires, helping restore resources for impacted schools.
With debates around gender identity, Senate Bill 618 introduces requirements for school districts to designate athletic competitions and extracurricular sports by biological sex, echoing national discussions on trans rights.
Oregon’s 2025 legislative session will shape the future of public education in the state, addressing complex issues ranging from funding and accountability to student well-being and equity.
Also Read: Fraud Allegations Ignite Debate Over NYC Special Education Spending
