The quality of American education has been a cornerstone of our prosperity and global leadership, fueling remarkable advancements like space travel.
Alan Shepard’s historic space flight in 1961 filled our nation with pride, even though it lasted only 15 minutes and reached only 300 miles. Today, we send people into space on extended missions, achieving this progress in less than 60 years.
While individual initiative has often driven innovation – exemplified by figures like Henry Ford – education has evolved significantly. Today, nearly 58% of employees at Ford Motor Company hold bachelor’s degrees.
Public education has expanded to include practical skills such as plumbing, construction, computerized metal fabrication, culinary arts, and nursing, often enhanced through partnerships with institutions like Lane Community College.
Moreover, we recognize that every disabled child deserves the same educational opportunities as their able-bodied peers. This broader perspective highlights education’s role in preparing individuals for a diverse range of employable trades, marking a significant evolution in how education is perceived and delivered.
However, the current Administration has shifted away from educational priorities due to various presidential executive orders and policy changes, leaving many to wonder about the future of Lane County public schools.
Tending to our own house
Recent reports highlight the declining student populations in most Lane County school districts, a trend seen across many districts in Oregon. According to the Oregon Department of Education, public school enrollment has significantly decreased since the Covid pandemic. From the 2019-20 school year to the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, approximately 30,000 students, or 5% of Oregon’s total student population, ceased attending school. By the 2023-24 school year, this number increased to 45,000.
Several factors contribute to this decline in school attendance, including a rise in homeschooling, increased enrollment in private schools, families relocating out of state, declining birth rates, and Oregon’s higher cost of living. The decrease in student enrollment in Oregon’s public schools is part of a broader trend observed throughout Lane County districts. This issue, highlighted in an Oregon State report, directly impacts state funding for districts based on the state’s school funding formula.
The reduction in state funding, particularly severe in some Lane County districts, presents a significant challenge that requires attention.
Solutions will necessitate the active involvement of Oregonians, acknowledging that the issue cannot solely be attributed to federal actions or cuts.
The Fed’s role in education
The Department of Education has played a crucial role in shaping national education policy. It mainly provides funding for specific initiatives rather than serving as a primary source for school operational budgets.
Key programs benefiting from this funding include Child Nutrition programs, the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, and Education for the Disadvantaged (Title I), which allocates extra resources to schools with many low-income students. Special Education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) also receive federal support.
Additionally, there are investments in career technical education programs and grants aimed at improving school safety and preventing violence.
During the 2024-25 school year, Oregon’s K-12 schools received about 10.8% of their funding from federal contributions, totaling roughly $2,097 per student – below the national average of $2,536 per student.
The share of federal funding varies across districts, ranging from nothing to 34%, influenced by factors such as student demographics, poverty levels, and the availability of state and local revenues. Lane County school districts vary in size; for instance, the Eugene School District has 16,500 students, while the Mapleton School District has only 145 students.
Future funding uncertain
The future of the federal Department of Education and its funding for K-12 schools is uncertain, especially with the federal Administration aiming to dismantle it without a clear alternative. A nationwide hold on federal funds for the 2025-26 school year was placed, affecting money already budgeted by districts amid concerns about state funding cuts.
In late July, the Administration reversed course and restored approximately $6 billion in federal funding but cautioned that this may be the last substantial disbursement.
Future allocations will likely undergo structural changes, particularly in how they support programs. The Administration stated it aims to address and eliminate “social disparities by reevaluating the impact of funds that they claim benefit certain student groups over others,” focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
The Eugene 4J School District, which represents 16,000 students, 35% of whom are people of color, has been involved in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Education Department’s attempts to abolish DEI practices. Its challenge to the anti-DEI ruling was successfully litigated in a Maryland federal court, marking a significant development for public schools in Oregon. An appeal to a higher court is expected.
Vouchers, healthcare concerns
The recently passed HR 1 of the 119th Congress (the “Big Beautiful Bill”) introduces the first-ever federal school voucher program, utilizing the tax code to provide vouchers for students attending private secular and religious schools while covering eligible educational expenses. Modifications made by the Senate allow states to participate voluntarily, potentially hindering wider implementation, especially in regions where voucher systems are less favored. Oregonians rightfully worry that since state funding follows students, every student who leaves the public school system reduces resources for those remaining.
With charter school growth plateauing, the impact of the HR 1 voucher program on K-12 funding across Lane County remains uncertain. Additionally, HR 1 includes significant cuts to the American healthcare system, reducing Medicaid funding by over $1 trillion to finance tax reductions for affluent Americans – the most substantial rollback of federal healthcare support in U.S. history.
The bill modifies Medicaid eligibility, verification, and benefits, with the CBO forecasting that over the next decade, 10 to 14 million Americans might lose their Medicaid eligibility.
In 2023, Oregon’s “Health Care Cost Growth Trends” report revealed that approximately 42.7% of children in Lane County are covered by Medicaid through the Oregon Health Plan. Furthermore, 52.2% of Lane County students qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, indicating a significant correlation between lower-income families and Medicaid eligibility.
Given these budgetary constraints, these changes could harm a large portion of K-12 students and their families in Lane County.
Frank Armendariz is a columnist for The Chronicle, a retired small business owner, a seasonal teaching assistant at a charter school in Eugene, and a former director of the Siuslaw School Board 97J.
