Although many schools opened earlier, this week is the traditional start of the school year. It's a time of excitement and anticipation for new adventures and new friends.

Unfortunately, Oregon students arrive at school to find fewer teachers, larger class sizes and reduced services and activities.

You're probably asking "how can that be?" Didn't the state legislature just boost funding for Oregon's K-12 schools by 11%? Doesn't the National Education Association rank Oregon 16th in per student spending with the highest percentage increase in spending nationally?

All of that is true. But, that doesn't mean the money actually makes it to the classroom. Our massive unfunded pension liability - $24.5 billion - is principally to blame. School spending on pensions will gradually climb from $1,000 to $1,600 per student over the next six years. That extra $600 per student could pay for 14 days of school.

Oregon lawmakers ignored the opportunity during the legislative session to re-examine how we are spending the money already in the education budgets to make sure every dollar works for Oregon's kids. Oregon public employee pension and health care benefit costs exceed those offered in almost every other state. If those costs were brought more in line with national norms, more money could be devoted to programs that we know work for students, like career and technical education. Learn more