Weekly

News & Updates


December 4, 2023

Budget Update and State Revenue Forecast

The month of November was dominated by talk about the inadequacy of state funding for K-12 education in Oregon. It was a primary reason cited by Portland Public Schools as they navigated negotiations with their teachers’ union, and also by Salem-Kaiser as it announced SKPS would be enacting $30 million in reductions immediately.


School funding is a very complex issue, so it’s not surprising that it is one where solutions can be a bit elusive. Governor Kotek has committed to deeply studying and bringing more transparency to how Oregon funds schools in the coming year, which is welcome news. 


In the meantime, we have created a six-page document with graphs and narrative content that highlights some of the key features of Oregon’s funding for schools over time, how HSD spends its money, our current costs, and the various ways we demonstrate both fiscal responsibility and stewardship of taxpayer dollars. (Find this and more information on the Budget Matters page of our website.)


We do not currently anticipate any mid-year reductions to our budget in 2023-24, and the State’s December Economic and Revenue Forecast supports that belief. That said, costs for our district continue to escalate and we will be keeping that in mind as we develop a balanced budget for the 2024-25 school year next spring.


Legislators again received positive financial news, as the Forecast showed another surge in revenue that is projected to generate an additional $343.5 million in net general fund and lottery resources for the 2023-25 biennium. That said, the State’s revenue outlook appears to have stabilized. The revenue boom seen during the 2021 tax year is unlikely to be repeated, with collections expected to revert back to their long-term trends. Traditional gains in General Fund collections are expected to resume in the 2025-27 biennium and beyond. (Source: Josh Lerner, Oregon Office of Economic Analysis)


As we look ahead to the short Legislative Session in 2024, we are hopeful that resources will be allocated to summer learning programs, which have proven to be immensely helpful to HSD students as we continue to recover from the pandemic and work to ensure students have the supports they need to be successful in school.

Downtown Marketing Interns

One of the many exciting aspects of HSD’s Career and College Pathways program is the opportunity for students to participate in paid summer internships. The Downtown Marketing internship matches students with local businesses in downtown Hillsboro to help them modernize their approach to communications and marketing. Students counsel business owners on how to utilize social media, refresh their messaging, and update graphics to reach their intended audiences and expand sales of goods and services. HSD’s Downtown Marketing summer interns presented their findings to the Workforce Development team and partners at the Civic Center. Their presentation secured a budget from the City of Hillsboro, ensuring their project’s continuation through the school year and summer of 2024.

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Click here for the full calendar

NEWS

Black Village Family Advisory Committee Meeting & Book Reading Event


The next meeting of the Black Village Family Advisory Committee is Monday, Dec. 11 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Zoom. Then please join them from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16 in the Event Room at the Brookwood Public Library for a reading of the children’s book The Me I Choose to Be, by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley…READ MORE

Vaccine Events at our Century School-Based Health Center


Our school-based health center at Century High School is holding a series of vaccine events to ensure students have all required vaccinations in advance of Immunization Exclusion day in February. The next event will take place on Monday, Dec. 4…READ MORE

Educational Equity Advisory Committee Meeting


In accordance with SB 732, HSD has formed an Educational Equity Advisory Committee (EEAC) to advise and inform the Superintendent and School Board on issues related to equity and corresponding practices. The next meeting of the EEAC takes place on Monday, Dec. 4 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. both virtually and in the Administration Center Board Room. Public seating is available. 

Play Smart Heart Screening


Free heart screenings for youth ages 12-18 takes place at the Providence Health Center at Reed’s Crossing in Hillsboro on Saturday, Dec. 16. Learn more and sign up for an appointment at welcometobasecamp.org/playsmart

Beaverton-Hillsboro Science Expo


The Beaverton-Hillsboro Science Expo (BHSE) is Washington County’s largest celebration of science and engineering. High school students are encouraged to reach out to their science fair coordinator now to express their interest. Registration deadline is Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024; Expo will be held on Saturday, Mar. 2 at Century High School…READ MORE

Help Decide the 2024 Showtime Concert Series


The City of Hillsboro invites you to help choose the performers for four of the concerts next summer at Shute Park. Voting for the artists will take place from Dec. 4 through Jan. 15. One performer will be selected only by Spanish-speaking community members. Learn more and vote online at Engage.Hillsboro-Oregon.gov.

Transportation Safety Action Plan


The City of Hillsboro is developing a Transportation Safety Action Plan to improve safety for everyone on our streets - people biking, walking, rolling, driving, and taking transit. Your input is needed to help the City meet its goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries on our streets by 2035. Learn more and share your thoughts at Engage-Hillsboro-Oregon.gov

Hillsboro Holiday Gift Guide and Events


Hillsboro is in the holiday spirit! Check out the City’s 50+ ideas for low-cost or no-cost gifts, visit the Lightopia light display from Dec. 5-30, or participate in the Light Up Hillsboro public menorah lighting on Thursday, Dec. 7.

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