$8.2 billion schools proposal advances in Salem

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – An $8.2 billion proposal to fund Oregon’s K-12 education system cleared its first hurdle in Salem on Thursday. It’s the biggest school budget to date and the state’s single-largest obligation for the 2017-19 budget.

The funding figure represents the state’s share of the K-12 budget, known as the State School Fund, by far the biggest source of school district funding that comes directly from state household, business and property taxes.

The education funding proposal is a 9 percent overall jump, or a $830 million increase, from the current schools budget.

The proposal passed out of the House Education Subcommittee Thursday and will now be considered by the full Ways and Means panel.