LOCAL & STATE
6A — BAKER CITY HERALD
FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016
MEASURE 98’S POTENTIAL BENEFITS FOR BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT
Career education could get a boost from measure on November ballot By Forrest Welk
fwelk@bakercityherald.com
Baker School District could receive more money for career technical education (CTE) projects. That’s if Measure 98 passes in Oregon’s election this November. More than 100,000 people signed a petition to get it on the ballot. CTE provides students with hands-on courses that prepare them for a trade or craft — similar to shop classes. Oriana Magnera, an organizer with Measure 98, said she has heard positive reception to the proposal from Eastern Oregon communities. “Those CTE programs are huge here,” Magnera said. “They make a really big difference in communities in terms of filling workforce shortages and preparing students for next generation jobs.” Such industries include welding and health care. Baker Technical Institute (BTI) already provides CTE programs that promote training in those areas. The measure would expand on existing CTE programs like BTI, as well as create new ones. For programs that rely on grant money, Magnera said that Measure 98 would offer a more sustainable source of funding. Should the measure pass, each individual high school would receive $800 per student per year. That means an estimated $776,956 would be allocated to Baker School District. According to the measure, that money does not come from tax dollars nor does it take money away from existing programs. Instead, Measure 98 would create a new general fund reserve of unallocated dollars not being spent elsewhere. Magnera said that funding goes into three “buckets”: CTE, dual-credit college classes, and counseling and tutoring meant to
KELLAR Continued from Page 3A
Kellar is a single mom and her two sons, Ethan, who is 7, and Aaron, who is 4, joined her at camp. She grew up in La Grande and was involved in Union County 4-H programs as a child. Eighty-five campers and about 20 more staff and
increase graduation rates. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Oregon’s class of 2014 had the fourth worst graduation rate in the country. Only 72 percent of students graduated. That figure improved slightly in 2015, rising to 74 percent. Baker High School fares better than the state average. Its graduation rate was at 83.3 percent in 2014 - 2015, according to the Oregon Department of Education. Still, Measure 98 aims to improve those numbers. Under its guidelines, students at risk for dropping out of school would be supported by additional numbers of counselors and caring adults. Those supporters range from general career mentors to college readiness advisers. School districts could allocate the funding as they see fit, meaning the number of counselors they hire is up to them. “It’s kind of a broad category, and it looks different for every community,” Magnera said. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all.” Lastly, the measure aims to promote more dual-credit classes in Oregon high schools, so that students can earn college credit while they’re in high school. The point of those classes, Magnera said, is to improve student college readiness and combat what she calls the “remedial problem” in Oregon. According to a study commissioned by the Institute of Education Sciences, 75 percent of Oregon high school graduates advancing
to community college must take remedial classes. That means those students pay for classes that don’t count for college credit. The study suggested this was largely due to a lack of academic readiness. Magnera said that the funding allows for more college level courses in high school that would better prepare students for college. Communities in Eastern Oregon already have a program that offers dual-credit classes for local high school campuses: the Eastern Promise. Any earned college credits in high school could apply to Eastern Oregon University, Blue Mountain Community College or Treasure Valley Community College. Magnera called Eastern Promise “the gold standard” of early college readiness. Eastern Promise, and programs that replicate it, are funded by grants. Magnera said that money is running out. “The program is in jeopardy,” she said. Measure 98 funding is meant to supplant those expiring grants and create a sustained funding method for those programs, as well as create new dual-credit programs. All three funding buckets total $147 million a year if Oregon’s revenue exceeds $1.5 billion. Otherwise, funding would be prorated. Magnera said there is no organized opposition to the measure and that it has received positive reception. Kevin Cassidy, Baker School Board chairman, supports the measure because it expands CTE programs he has pushed for.
“CTE programs add to a wholistic education experience,” Cassidy said. “Those are things that have really taken time because of budgetary constraints and focus on core subjects.” However, Cassidy holds some reservations. He feels the measure could raise administration costs, as well as overly dictate how the district spends the money. “When you pass targeted funding, it comes with some bureaucracy,” he said. “That may or may not work for us.” The Oregon Education Association (OEA), the state’s largest teacher’s union, echoes that sentiment. In a written statement from OEA President Hanna Vaandering, she said that while she acknowledges the problems Measure 98 addresses, it is too much of a one-size-fits-all solution for a “much larger, systematic problem.” She said it “could prevent local communities from deciding what’s best for their students.” Measure 98 does say that school districts are required to partially direct funding to CTE programs. However, the text reads that districts can allocate funding “relevant to the job market in the community or region the school district serves.” Furthermore, districts must follow guidelines on how to use the funding related to dual-enrollment programs and dropoutprevention strategies. Despite outside concerns about potential limitations, Magnera is optimistic for Measure 98’s future. “The time is now to really support our high schools,” she said. “If we’re not going to do it when we have one of the best economies ever, and we have all this additional revenue coming in — it’s never going to happen.” To read Measure 98’s seven pages, voters can visit www.voteyesfor98.org.
counselors participated in this year’s camp around the theme of “Space Is The Place,” Kellar said. As a 4-H’er, Kellar showed cattle and sheep raised on her family’s ranch near the La Grande airport. Her mother and stepdad are Carol and Jeff Smith of La Grande. Her father and stepmother, Mark and Louise Shelden, live at Union.
She continues to raise a small commercial herd of cattle from the La Grande ranch site and helps her mother and stepdad with their operations, though her home is in Baker City. Kellar is a 1997 graduate of La Grande High School and earned her associate degree from Treasure Valley Community College at Ontario in 2000. She has
been working off and on to complete her bachelor’s degree since then. Her Extension Service experience began with a three-year stint in the La Grande Office where she worked as a 4-H educational program assistant. She moved to Baker City to work as an office coordinator, a position she filled for nine years, before moving to the
“(Career education) programs add to a wholistic education experience. Those are things that have really taken time because of budgetary constraints and focus on core subjects.” — Kevin Cassidy, Baker School Board chairman
COUNTY Continued from Page 3A
“These are $35,000- to $70,000-ayear jobs,” he said. “I’ll bet you right now if we had 10 good mechanics, they would be snapped up that quick (snaps finger).” Harvey said other higher-paying jobs that are hard to fill locally are welders and truck drivers. “We are trying desperately to train people to take these jobs,” Harvey said. “Once we can do this and we show employers that we have the opportunity to give them employees we will gain more employers. It’s a cycle.” He was referring to the economic development department’s work with Baker Technical Institute (part of Baker High School) to train workers for potential employment at Natural Structures, Behlen Manufacturing and other industrial employers in Baker County. Smith also talked about the recent news that Albertsons will be re-opening a store in Baker City this year. “It is going to create another 50 jobs,” he said.
Addressing the frustration of many community members that a single corporation will own both major grocery stores in Baker City — the Safeway store will remain open — Smith said it’s not an ideal situation but it’s better than just having one option. In other economic development news, Smith said his office is working with four companies that are interested in opening businesses in Baker County as well as two businesses that are wanting to sell their business. Smith, who is also a state legislator for a district in the Heppner area, said he is on a special committee for transportation preservation and modernization created by Governor Kate Brown. “Basically it means they are going to put a transportation package together,” he said. “There’s strong momentum to do this.” Smith said Baker County’s state representative, Cliff Bentz of Ontario, is vice chairman of the committee and is working aggressively to help develop a transportation package for the state. Smith said Baker County “really needs to wrap its arms
around and make sure they are part of the process.” Smith cited the need for improvements to 10th Street and other transportation projects in the county as some reasons for the county to be involved. Another reason is to prevent the state from cutting transportation dollars available to the county. “You’re going to see a movement among ODOT to grab those dollars,” Smith said. “We want to make sure that doesn’t occur. We want to make sure our small cities and counties get the dollars.” He also said there is an opportunity for local professionals such as engineers, surveyors and truck drivers to be involved. “I want to make sure that when this package is put together, they have an opportunity to get at that work,” Smith said. Harvey said he has been meeting weekly with County Roadmaster Jeff Smith to develop a plan to present to Bentz. Smith also talked about entrepreneur classes his office has had at the Baker County Library. Past classes have focused on how to start a small business and cash
MEASURE 97 ON NOVEMBER BALLOT
Governor backs $3 billion tax hike on corporations By Kristena Hansen Associated Press
PORTLAND — After months of increasing public pressure to take a position, Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday endorsed labor unions’ November ballot proposal that would impose the largest tax hike on corporations in Oregon history. In a statement, Brown said Measure 97, previously known as Initiative Petition 28, or IP 28, would give the state financial stability moving forward and address the “basic unfairness” in Oregon’s tax system, which has no sales tax and derives the Brown largest chunk of revenue from personal income taxes. The measure would raise an estimated $3 billion in additional annual revenue — boosting the state’s general fund by more than a quarter — through a tax hike on the largest firms doing business in Oregon. The extra funds are broadly earmarked for education, health care and senior services, although the measure doesn’t say how the money should be spent in those areas. However, as confirmed this week by the state’s legal counsel, the Legislature could spend it however it pleased. That’s a major point of contention between labor unions and businesses at a time when Oregon faces a shortfall in its 2017-19 budget and a massive public employee-pension liability next year. Brown, a Democrat who’s running to keep her gubernatorial seat in November, addressed this issue in her endorsement, saying she “will make sure” the funds are spent as voters expect. “State leaders before me have repeatedly tried and failed to solve the problem of adequate and stable funding for schools and other state services,” Brown said. “Every solution has had strengths and weaknesses in terms of fairness and economic impact. None has succeeded in bringing the business community, individual and family taxpayers, service providers, and advocates together.” The measure targets the largest 1,000 C-corporations, or about 4 percent of market, with at least $25 million in Oregon sales. Those firms would pay a minimum $30,000 tax, plus 2.5 percent on anything above that $25 million-sales threshold. State economists say that could generate an extra $6 billion in revenue for the next two-year budget cycle, while impacting the overall economy through higher consumer prices, declining population and a loss of 38,000 private-sector jobs over five years — although 18,000 public sector jobs would be added. Measure 97 is backed by Our Oregon, a nonprofit group funded largely by public-employee unions that are affected by state budget problems. House Speaker Tina Kotek had previously been among the few high-profile Democratic politicians to publicly support Measure 97. Brown remained neutral even after disclosing her ideas and vision for the measure’s revenue back in early June, which didn’t pass muster with some Republicans such as Rep. Mike McLane. “Governor Brown’s support of Measure 97 was the worst kept secret in Salem,” said McLane, minority leader of the Oregon House. “Today, she apparently decided it was time to come clean with Oregon voters.” office manager position two years ago. Kellar also has served as treasurer on the 4-H sale committee, a position she will continue in, at least this year, with the fair getting under way with the Horse Show today. Other events are scheduled Aug. 10-13. The sale will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday. In addition to Kellar,
flow management. The next class will be Tuesday Aug. 9 at 5 p.m. at the library, 2400 Resort St. The topic will be the basic principals of marketing a small business.
In other business, the commissioners: • Changed the bylaws of the Economic Development Council requiring it consist of nine members instead of five as has been the case • Approved the award of a $43,984 contract to remove asbestos from wooden structures at the county owned abandoned Lime Cement Plant to sole bidder Pacific Technologies, Inc. (see story on Page 1A) • Approved an amendment to the agreement between the County and Baker City that increases the number of members of the 911 Consolidated Dispatch Board from three to five. The City and County will each add another member to the board. • Approved the County as a sponsor on a grant application for the Eagle Valley Rural Fire Protection District, which is seeking a $2 million grant from the Oregon Business
Parker and Cowan, the Baker County Extension Service program includes Carol Smith, regional administrator; Leticia Henderson, livestock agent; Angela Robb, office assistant; and Becaa Colton, SNAP-Ed (nutrition education) program assistant. The Extension Service will be hiring a person to fill Kellar’s office position in the interim soon.
Infrastructure Finance Authority to convert the former Richland Elementary School gymnasium into housing for the district’s equipment. The funds would also be used to build a helipad for emergency access to the community. • Reappointed Robert Ellingson to the Fair Board • Reappointed Bill Harvey to the Northeast Area Commission on Transportation and Jeff Smith as an alternate member • Appointed Baker City Manager Fred Warner Jr. to the Northeast Area Commission on Transportation, the Transportation/Safety Committee, the 911 Consolidated Dispatch Board and the Economic Development Council • Appointed Robin Nudd, Tammy McEnroe and Allison Deputy to the Early Learning Regional Council •Reappointed Bonnie Thiel and Brad VanGaasbeck to the Baker County Transportation/Safety Commission • Reappointed MaryAnne Wren to the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Local Community Advisory Council • Appointed Tori Brown to the Transient Lodging Tax Committee