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Crow-Applegate-Lorane Joins Suit
February 27, 2006 - (Portland, Ore.)--The Crow-Applegate-Lorane School Board voted tonight to join a lawsuit against the State of Oregon for failing its constitutional mandate to adequately fund public schools. The district, in a rural Lane County community west of Eugene, joins the Pendleton School District in this suit. Oregon School Funding Defense Foundation, a statewide non-profit, is coordinating the action, which will also include other school districts across the state and individual parents on behalf of their children.
Three years ago, Crow-Applegate-Lorane cut 12 school days from its calendar and reduced program offerings for students (such as wood shop, auto shop). In addition to program losses, the district has made substantial cuts to staff and tasked remaining personnel with multiple roles. A “half-time” Superintendent, Eileen Palmer also serves as the district’s Special Education Coordinator and its Title 1 Coordinator.
Superintendent Palmer notes that the administrative requirements of a small district such as Crow are the same as those for larger districts throughout the state. “We have to meet the same requirements and provide the same quality education for our students as any large district. We are simply spread too thin,” she said.
Kids in Crow deserve both the education and opportunity to either successfully enter the work force or go on to college, she noted. Palmer laments the loss of high school academic advisors who could help prevent remediation needs of those students who go on to post-secondary education. “Ultimately, the State of Oregon has the same responsibility to each of our students as it does for every other student in the state. We don’t believe the Legislature is doing the job,” says Dean Livelybrooks, a member of the Crow-Applegate- Lorane School Board.
Among the smaller districts statewide, Crow has 330 students, up from 286 last year. Much of its growth comes from enrollment of former home schoolers and students who had previously transferred to other districts who have returned to Crow-Applegate- Lorane. Superintendent Palmer sees this trend as a renewed vote of confidence in the district. In this small, tight-knit community, schools are the hub of local activities and everyone turns out for school events.
The Oregon School Funding Defense Foundation board includes Chairman Paul Kelly, Attorney and former Global Director of Public Affairs for NIKE, Portland; Vice-Chair Arthur Johnson, Attorney, Eugene; Secretary Bruce Samson, Attorney and former General Counsel for NW Natural, Lake Oswego; Attorney Bill Deatherage, Medford; Attorney and Multicultural Director at Willamette University College of Law Marva Fabien, Salem; Attorney Dennis Karnopp, Bend, and former Oregon Supreme Court Justice Betty Roberts of Portland.