Oregon Lawmakers Urged to Allocate $5.5 Million to School Districts Recovering from the 2020 Wildfires

The Oregon Legislature has been asked to allocate $5.5 million to several Oregon school districts that have not recovered from the damage caused by the devastating 2020 Labor Day wildfires.

House Bills Proposed by Rep. Pam Marsh

Two new House Bills, 3165 and 3941, have been proposed by Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Southern Jackson County, to provide aid to affected school districts like Mill City that was ruined when the blaze swept through the Santiam Canyon.

$5.5 Million will Prevent Schools from Making Draconian Cutbacks

Marsh told lawmakers that the $25 million already approved for school districts was insufficient to cover existing needs. She said granting $5.5 million would give educators ‘peace of mind’ in the knowledge that they would be able to ‘get through the school year.’

She pointed out that school districts receive funding according to the number of children in classrooms. However, school districts badly affected by the fires have not achieved increased enrollments and, without help, may have to resort to ‘draconian measures’ and cut programs when communities are trying to rebuild.

School Districts Welcome the Bills

Her house bills have been welcomed by the superintendent of the Phoenix-Talent School District, Brent Barry. He said long-term funding would support after-school programs, mental health services, and tutoring options.

The superintendent of the Santiam County School District, Todd Miller, said there was no quick recovery from the 2020 wildfires that destroyed more than 700 homes and hundreds of thousands of acres.

Both superintendents confirmed that enrollment numbers are nowhere near those recorded before the 2020 wildfires, impacting funding allocations.

Both house bills are with the House Committee on Education, and Marsh says a final decision will be made by the Ways and Means Committee.