Local School Levy Could Save Teaching Jobs, School Officials Say

MILWAUKIE, OR — Roughly 170 teachers working for North Clackamas Schools could face layoffs before the 2019-2020 school year if a five-year local option levy up for a vote this November does not pass. North Clackamas Schools officials explained the seemingly dire situation earlier this month.

The school district is reportedly facing a $17 million shortfall on its prospective operating budget for the school year beginning September 2019. As a result, if the local option levy does not pass, the district may need to layoff 170 teachers, shorten the school year by 34 days, or — at worse — both.

North Clackamas Schools reportedly serves roughly 17,000 kids across 32 schools in Clackamas County. Over the past 10 years, however, the district was forced to make concessions due to lessened state funding, officials said.

Canceled school days, increased class sizes, and the closure of three schools have all been the consequences of nearly annual shortfalls within the district's budget. Between 2008 and 2011, for example, North Clackamas Schools reported cutting what equated to about 225 staff positions.

Additionally, the district also needed to slash the budgets for building maintenance, career/college guidance counselors, some learning materials, and computers, officials said.

Despite the challenges, school officials say the district has seen an increase in graduation rates.

(Sign up for our free daily newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Oregon City Patch)

Estimates show the district could raise upward of $97 million over the five years the levy is in place, should Clackamas County voters approve.

For their part, voters — and property owners — would see the levy impose a $1.63 tax rate per $1,000 of assessed property value. Officials estimate homes with an assessed value of $221,800 would cost about $30 per month.

Measure 3-541 will be on this November's election ballot. For more information, visit NClack.k12.or.us.

Image via Shutterstock