Record Funding Boosts Oregon Schools with Nearly $77 Million from Common School Fund
Oregon’s 197 school districts are set to receive a historic influx of nearly $77 million this year, courtesy of revenues from leases and industries operating on state lands. This funding, announced by officials from the Oregon Department of State Lands, marks a $2.5 million increase from the previous year and $12 million more than three years ago.
Distribution of the funds is based on the student population, with the average district projected to receive around $390,000—enough to hire approximately five teachers. For instance, the Banks School District will receive $159,874, while Portland Public Schools, the state’s largest district, will benefit from about $6.6 million. Smaller districts, like Ontario School District with 2,100 students, are expected to obtain around $300,000.
The Common School Fund, which has supported education for over 160 years, sprang from the federal allocation of nearly 3.4 million acres of land to Oregon, aimed at generating revenue for schools. Although much of the original land has been sold, approximately 20% remains under lease to various businesses, contributing around $7 million annually to the fund, which is now valued at nearly $2.4 billion. Annually, only about 3.5% of the fund’s total is distributed to schools.
Educators, like Willamette High School’s Benjamin Dodds, emphasize the versatility of this funding for operational costs and instructional needs. The bulk of school financing still comes from the state’s general fund, which accounts for about two-thirds of school budgets. Governor Tina Kotek is advocating for an increased allocation of nearly $11.4 billion for Oregon schools over the next two years.
This investment reflects a significant commitment to enhancing educational resources across the state, supporting both large and small districts alike.
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