Your help is needed to fight virtual school funding cuts

Dear Virtual Public School Families, 

Last week I told you about HB2170, a bill that would cut funding for virtual public schools. Well, we’ve gone from worried to very concerned.  We just learned that HB2170 is moving through the legislative process and we need your help!  The House Education Committee will hold a hearing on HB2170 on Wednesday, February 25th.

Many special interests have tried to limit access to options like virtual public schools but they have failed in their attempts.  Now they have their sights set on funding for our schools, which already receive less money than traditional schools.

Your help is urgently needed!  Here are two things you can do:

    •    Send an email to your legislators asking them to oppose cuts to virtual public school funding.  This is easy to do: simply click here and fill out this form.  Don’t forget to add a personal message about why virtual schools are critical for your child’s education.  The form provides a blank message box for you to add your personal message. 

    •    Come to Salem on February 25th and speak up on behalf of your virtual public school.  If you can testify, please email us and we’ll get in touch with you.  The hearing will be in held in Hearing Room D of the State Capitol at 1:00PM on Wednesday, February 25th. Please see the details below 

House Education Committee Hearing on HB2170
Wednesday, February 25th
1:00PM
Hearing Room D
Oregon State Capitol Building
900 Court Street, NE
Salem 97301 

Virtual public schools, which are organized under Oregon’s charter law, already receive less funding than traditional public schools.  But, we still need adequate resources to maintain our effective, state-certified teaching staff, competent administrators, world-class curriculum that complies with core standards, and a sophisticated technology platform capable of delivering instruction.  Rather than focusing on the quality of the education or the importance of education choices that fit the needs of our kids, legislators are looking to cut funding.  That’s not right. 

Our students deserve the same commitment to a quality education that others receive in traditional brick and mortar public schools.  But, we desperately need your voice engaged in this process if we’re going to be successful in stopping any funding cuts. 

Thank you for all you do on behalf of Oregon’s virtual public school families.

Sincerely, 

Steven Isaacs
President