OSD parents and supporters,
Here’s an update about what is happening with the School for the Deaf and the School for the Blind. As you know, Susan Castillo has made the recommendation to move OSB to OSD’s campus. If you haven’t seen the articles about this, please check out the ODE website (http://www.ode.state.or.us/news/) and look at the press release for May 18. The AP and the Statesman Journal newspaper (http://www.statesmanjournal.com/) also had articles about the “co-location” recommendation.

A joint coalition of supporters of OSD and OSB met recently to brainstorm next steps for advocating for the schools. A necessary step in allowing the Deaf and Blind communities more input into the running of the schools would be the establishment of two independent school boards, as outlined in Senate Bill 757 (SB757).

Here is what you can do to help:

Please make four quick phone calls about OSB, OSD, and SB 757. Time is short and the legislature is moving fast, we need to get people calling the KEY legislators listed below as soon as is possible. Please stress that a quick phone call is all we are asking, you don’t have to be an expert on the subjects.

Urge key legislators to not merge the Oregon School for the Blind program onto the Oregon School for the Deaf campus. Give one or two reasons why you oppose this . A brief message will make a difference. Examples: The needs of students continue to be our main concern. ODE should not implementing significant policy changes through budgetary notes. Please remove the budgetary note that ODE is using to try to move OSB to the OSD campus. Even more troubling than the decision itself, was the lack of process for parents, administrators, educators and community members to voice their concerns.

Remember to voice your support for SB 757 .
Example: The Legislature should approve Senate Bill 757, which creates an independent board – similar to a local school board - to oversee the schools. SB 757 would also enhance lines of communications between stakeholders and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) as well as create an appeals process . Key Legislators on OSB and OSD issues and SB 757

Senator Kurt Schrader’s phone # 503-986-1720

House Rep. Mary Nolan’s phone # 503-986-1436

Senator Peter Courtney phone # 503-986-1722

Representative Jeff Merkley phone # 503-986-1200

There will be a Rally to express our support on these issues on June 1 from 2-4 at the Capitol. Save this time and watch for more info to follow.

Share this e-mail with others who share our interest in these two schools!

Thank you!
Robyn Brown, parent of OSD student