Chair Neron, and members of the House Committee on Education,
My name is Venus Reeve, and I am a special educator in Springfield and the chairperson for the Special Education Committee for Oregon Education Association. We are writing to show our support of HB 4079.
As a committee of special educators throughout the state, we are tasked with supporting educators’ needs as they educate our students. We hear time and again from our members that the lack of funding is the number one issue preventing them from providing a free and appropriate public education to all students. Our schools are missing critical resources that students with special needs must have to access the general education environment and curriculum, including individualized nursing care, dedicated case management time, highly-trained aide support, safe classrooms, physical equipment, and highly qualified special educators & specialists to serve the growing needs of our students and families.
Every student deserves to receive the resources they need to succeed. In my career alone, there has been a significant increase in students identified for special education services, and yet the funding amount has remained stagnant. The 11% cap on SPED weights is an arbitrary cap that does damage to our students, and pits those who need support the most against one another. Please vote yes on HB 4079, and ensure it receives the funding it needs so our special education programs can best provide the specially designed instruction needed for all students to receive a free, appropriate public education outlined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Sincerely,
Venus Reeve and the Special Education Committee for Oregon Education Association
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Billy Ray, Hillsboro Education Association (EA);
Sandra Walk, Canby EA;
Maggie Zamora, Hillsboro EA;
Kate Aly-Brady, Springfield EA;
Venus Reeve (Chair), Springfield EA;
Jenny Scheafer, South Coast ESD EA;
Malory Turner, NorthWest EA;
Charlene Baker (OEA Board Liaison, Morrow County EA);
Alejandra Saechao (OEA Board Liaison, Salem-Keizer EA);
Erin Whitlock (OEA Staff)
