NEWS RELEASE
With time running out during the current legislative session, the Oregon School Boards Association is lending its full support to House Bill 4082, designed to support students’ academic recovery from the pandemic.
“We are counting on lawmakers to prioritize Oregon’s future by acting now,” said Emielle Nischik, OSBA’s acting executive director.
OSBA is encouraging its members and the public to contact both House Speaker Dan Rayfield ([email protected]) and Senate President Rob Wagner ([email protected]) to ensure they prioritize the passage of HB 4082.
HB 4082 is a $50 million learning package that stands among Gov. Tina Kotek’s top priorities in this session. It is also supported by a broad coalition of education advocates, including OSBA and its more than 1,400 locally elected school board members.
The bill focuses on academic enrichment and youth development through a minimum of 80 hours of summer programming. By partnering with community organizations and families, schools can help guarantee that students receive the learning and mental health supports they need.
Oregon legislators helped fund summer learning in 2021 and 2022, but a legislative walkout disrupted such plans last year. Recent news reports indicate that legislative leaders are unsure whether summer learning funding will pass this session.
“This is a vital investment in Oregon’s young people,” Nischik said. “Summer learning opportunities should not be limited to those families that can afford to pay for summer camps and enrichment programs. All Oregon students have the right to receive equitable access to advance their education and not fall further behind during the summer months. This is especially important for students who suffered the most during the pandemic.”
OSBA is a non-profit member services agency for more than 200 locally elected boards serving school districts, education service districts and community colleges.
Contact: Alex Pulaski, communications director
[email protected], 503-621-7179
