This week on Voices from the Edge, Jo Ann Bowman discusses the upcoming Portland Public School measures on the May 17th 2011 ballot to: Renovate, rebuild, update safetly features in schools, and pay for teaching positions. Measures 26-121 and 26-122.
Further information:
Oregonian article - Portland Public Schools: Voters should reject capital bond, approve levy
About the program…
Join co-hosts Jo Ann Bowman and Dave Mazza every Thursday morning as they bring you informative guests and lively discussions about the issues that are important to you and your community. Every week, Voices from the Edge provides KBOO listeners a place to engage in meaningful talk about racial disparity, government accountability, environmental justice, local and national politics, and other crucial issues of the day. Jo Ann and Dave bring you guests you won’t hear on other talk radio programs and conversation about making Oregon and the nation a better place.
About the hosts…
Jo Ann Bowman is a former Oregon state legislator, current executive director of Oregon Action and chair of Portland Community Media. Jo Ann is a long-time voice for Portland's under-represented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice.
Dave Mazza is a journalist and community activist. The former editor of The Portland Alliance newspaper has reported on and been involved in Portland's civil rights, peace, labor and environmental movements for 20 years. For more about Dave, visit www.davemazza.com.
Join the conversation…
Join the conversation every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. by calling 503-231-8187. Keep the conversation going after the program at our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge.
Engineering: Steve Nassar
Audio Editing: Alicia Olson
- KBOO
Comments
Portland School Measures
I just listened to this broadcast, and agree strongly that we need to keep the pressure on the state to mend the way we handle funding for schools. However, while we fight for more stable funding, fight for a Rainy Day fund, kicker reform, a "bigger pie,", etc. we cannot just let our schools crumble.
JoAnn wanted to know more information about the measures. Perhaps because I am a parent of two kids in PPS, I see this information on a regular basis. It has been shared online, in their PPS Pulse, in mailings, and in maps, brochures, etc. in the schools. I urge people to read about both the bond and levy and find out what they will pay for. It is too much information to post in a voters' pamphlet!
It seems most people I talk to are totally fine renewing the levy. They understand that we have to keep our schools operational with these dollars. Most people I know also support the bond measure because they understand that if we don't pass this, then dollars that should be spent on teachers, programs and curriculum will get spent instead on emergency repairs. We really can't wait any longer to pass the facilities bond. All the districts around Portland have one. We need to not only address the seismic issues, but make sure we can provide the hands-on science labs and technology that is relevant for a 21st century education.