The state House of Representatives passed an updated and much-debated K-12 school budget bill Thursday, granting all Oregon public K-12 schools a budget of $6 billion and putting an additional $200 million in a reserve account in case of further economic decline. While Senate Bill 5520 is good news for public schools, it has a less promising effect on the state institutions of higher education, including the University of Oregon.
The money going toward the new K-12 budget ultimately means less money will go toward the Oregon University System. By June 30, lawmakers will announce the two-year budget plan for Oregon universities, which is predicted to shrink, raising tuition by as much as 13 percent.
University junior Lacey Becker sees the state’s distribution of education money as defective. “I think a better idea is to just give the schools the freedom to spend the money they receive how they see fit,” Becker said, suggesting a joint agreement between K-12 and higher education.
Despite the burden of higher tuition, the fact that the money will remain in the educational system still comforts some.
“I’m just glad that the budget money taken from the university system won’t be going towards funding I don’t support, like the war,” junior Molly Simas said. “Knowing that it’s going back to fund lower-level education is more reassuring.” Simas is an out-of-state student whose tuition could skyrocket in the coming year.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski attempted to veto the proposed bill last week, saying the $200 million taken from state reserves would leave the remaining reserves inadequate if the economy continues to weaken. Nonetheless, the House overrode the veto, leaving Oregon universities and colleges questioning their future budgets.
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