I have worked in the Portland Public Schools for nine years. Nearly every year, my school has faced a shortfall in funding from the city and state, and has had to cut teaching and support positions. This year, the City Council is considering a budget that would raise property taxes for city services by less than 3 percent, which would actually result in a school staffing reduction.

Cutting teaching positions is bad for students, and bad for our city. We need small class sizes so that teachers can give personal attention to the needs of each student. We need small overall student-to-teacher ratios so teachers can spend more time and energy planning engaging and effective lessons, instead of grading massive stacks of papers.

We need educated young people who will grow up to be the business leaders, politicians, artists and engineers who will continue to make our city a great place to live. And we need to support the needs of students from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, so that everyone contributes to a strong economy and an interesting and beautiful city.

The economy has bounced back since 2008, but funding for public education hasn’t. Why not?

Rosalee Lamm

Portland

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