Dr. Heather Cordie, Superintendent

April 27, 2017

Sherwood School District 88J 23295 SW Main St. Sherwood, OR 97140 503.825.5000 Fax 503.825.5001 www.sherwood.k12.or.us

Dear Sherwood Families & Community Members, On March 17, 2017, I sent you a letter discussing the urgency that public schools in Oregon are facing to encourage our legislative leadership in Salem to prioritize K-12 funding in this Legislative Session. Since that communication with our stakeholders, our concerns have deepened. Last week, the Co-Chairs’ Budget Framework was released with a proposed K-12 budget figure of $7.8B -- a funding level that will continue to increase class sizes, negatively affect reserves, and put programs at-risk. This is a drastic shortfall of the funding needed to continue offering the programs and services that public schools currently offer Oregon’s students. In order to maintain current service levels for most school districts in Washington County, including Sherwood, the State School Fund (SSF) must be set at $8.4 billion or higher for the 2017-2019 biennium to avoid a cuts budget. As we have begun preparing the budget for next year, Sherwood, and most of our neighboring districts, are assuming $8.1B in SSF funding in order to begin the budget process - which is already a ‘cuts’ budget for us at that level. Now, with the funding level still unknown and our optimism dwindling upon release of the Co-Chairs’ Framework, we are facing an even more crucial call to action - and we hope you will join our collective voices in support. School district administrators and superintendents across the State are urging every community in Oregon to engage and advocate on behalf of our students - and we must do so now. Our legislators need to hear from everyone in every part of the State, and we are asking the Sherwood community to participate in sharing its concerns, using every tool available, including letters, emails, phone calls, and social media. As I did in March, on behalf of Sherwood School District, I again ask that you please take these steps to keep our legislators engaged so conversations will continue to focus on the K-12 budget. The need is critical and, in Sherwood, we are committed to advocating for a minimum of $8.4 billion over the next two years, to maintain current programs and services. You will find attached a funding level impacts poster describing what the various levels of possible SSF funding means for our district, (which does not even illustrate the additional reductions that the Co-Chairs’ Budget Framework would cause at the $7.8B level). To help make your voice heard, OSBA, OEA and COSA have put together tools for you on the “Take Action” page of the Oregon Rising campaign website, linked here, which guides you through the process for contacting our legislators, complete with email addresses and sample messages for your use. The Sherwood community proudly supports education and the work we do district-wide. All Oregon students deserve stable and adequate funding to ensure that they have an education that prepares them for the global economy and a quality of life that makes our communities strong. State leaders must hear the stories of our families and our hopes for Sherwood students’ futures if they are to invest in K-12 funding for Oregon schools. Thank you for your support and action! Sincerely,

Dr. Heather H. Cordie Superintendent

— Sherwood School District —

Oregonians Want More from Our Schools, Not Less* *According to Oregon Rising, a 2016 survey of 10,894 Oregonians.

The decision legislators make about Oregon’s 2017-19 K-12 budget will have a significant, lasting impact on Sherwood School District students.

Progress Toward Quality Education Stable, Some Progress Maintains Current Programs Governor’s Proposed Budget

8.02

$

BILLION

Cuts Necessitates re-implementing Great Recession era responses. • Increases class sizes • Shortens the school year • Limits offerings, electives, and activities

8.40

$

BILLION

8.93

$

BILLION

$

9.97 BILLION

No Cuts Progress Quality Sustains existing programs and may: • Provides a sense of stability • Reduces chances of further cuts • Constrains program enrichment

Allows progress toward providing the same level of education and support as the national average. • Lengthens school year • Reduces class sizes • Increases offerings and electives to engage all students

Funds schools to deliver the Oregon Quality Education Model. • Adds school days to increase instructional time • Creates smaller class sizes by adding teachers and staff • Enhances program offerings to engage all students • Supports physical and mental health