STATEWIDE, Ore.- Save Outdoor School for All campaign officials announced today that petition signatures have officially been verified by the Secretary of State’s office, and that the measure will be on the November 2016 Oregon ballot.
The campaign ultimately collected more than 140,000 petition signatures, far surpassing the 87,213 signature requirement needed to qualify.
The Save Outdoor School for All measure will allow voters to decide whether to dedicate permanent, long-term funding for Outdoor School–a 50-year Oregon tradition of hands on field study for 5th and 6th graders.
Outdoor School supporters say it’s a watershed moment for the state, giving voters a chance to create a legacy for Oregon that has direct and immediate benefits for all children statewide, helps support Oregon’s natural resources and outdoor way of life, and contributes strongly to the region’s economy.
“We’re thrilled by the outpouring of support we’ve received. Community leaders and citizens are stepping up to show how much they care about making sure that future generations of Oregonians are strongly connected to our natural resources and what makes Oregon, Oregon,” said Jackie LaFrenz, principal of Powell Butte Community Charter School in Crook County.
As a proven program with a decades-long track record of success, Outdoor School was created to educate children about Oregon’s vibrant and varied natural resources, which remain the underpinning of Oregon’s economy.
However, despite the proven success of Outdoor School, budget cuts and unstable funding have created an inequitable situation where about half of Oregon’s students are denied the opportunity to attend.
Should the measure pass, permanent funding would ensure access and opportunity for all, no matter what district, county or city a child is from.
