I share this as a resident, as a father, and as someone who has spent the last decade following school budgets closely—because our community deserves clarity before being asked to pay more.
I am voting NO on Measure 34-342, the proposed bond for Tigard-Tualatin School District. And I want to explain why.
As a three-term member of the TTSD Budget Committee, I’ve reviewed line-by-line where the money is going. In my final term, I served as Vice Chair of the 2024–25 Budget Committee, and I voted “No” on the 2024–25 TTSD Budget. I did so because I could no longer support a financial plan that continues to cut classroom educators, reduce parent confidence, and expand spending in ways that don’t align with the academic fundamentals our students deserve.
I’ve also previously served on the board of Tualatin Together, a community-based organization focused on youth empowerment, substance misuse prevention, and family well-being. I’ve seen how decisions in education affect families firsthand—and right now, we are not headed in the right direction.
Here’s the reality:
Over the last four years, the District’s General Fund has grown:
- $185.2 million in 2021–22 (pg. 103, 2021–22 Budget)
- $187.9 million in 2022–23 (pg. 101, 2022–23 Budget)
- $183.3 million in 2023–24 (pg. 109, 2023–24 Budget)
- $191.2 million in 2024–25 (pg. 109, 2024–25 Budget)
That’s a total increase of about $6 million, even accounting for a temporary dip in 2023–24. Of the $191.2 million in this year’s General Fund, $151 million comes from the State School Fund grant alone (page 104)—the highest amount the district has ever received from the state.
And yet—TTSD has laid off more than 130 full-time staff over the last two years. In 2023–24, the district cut 67.28 full-time equivalent positions as part of nearly $9 million in reductions (page 30), reducing the overall staffing to 1,321.51 FTE (page 31). In 2024–25, an additional 63.31 FTEs were cut (page 31, 2024–25 Budget), including classroom teachers, specialists, and support staff.
Why? Because enrollment is falling.
In 2018–19, TTSD served roughly 12,500 students. This year, it’s projected to serve 11,153 (page 26, 2024–25 Budget). That’s a loss of over 1,100 students, equating to nearly $11.7 million in lost revenue—and we have no plan to reverse the trend.
Instead of redirecting focus toward educational basics—literacy, math, and teacher support—district leadership has leaned heavily into ideological programming, increasing spending on frameworks like social-emotional learning and complex administrative models. In 2024–25 alone, the district plans to spend $24.3 million on strategic initiatives—including early learning, academic transitions, instructional coaching, and social-emotional learning (SEL)—as detailed in the Strategic Financial Plan (page 40, internal page 3, 2024–25 Budget).
Let’s be honest: if we had prioritized education over ideology, we wouldn’t be here. We would have maintained teacher positions, attracted families back to the district, and kept our classrooms full. Instead, TTSD is asking taxpayers to approve another bond—while the 2017 bond funds are still being spent. As of this year, $23 million remains for capital projects (page 178, 2024–25 Budget).
For those interested in reviewing the full budget details firsthand, TTSD makes all of its current and past budget documents publicly available at: ttsdschools.org/departments/business-office/budgets-current-previous
I believe in education. But I also believe in accountability.
Now is not the time to approve a new bond. It’s time to ask tough questions. How are we spending our money? Why are families leaving? And how do we rebuild trust?
Until we get real answers, I’m voting NO on Measure 34-342—and I urge you to do the same.
The views expressed here are my own and do not represent the City of Tualatin or any other member of the City Council.
