Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Welcome! We hope that you enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Thank you for signing in! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Checking back? Since you viewed this item previously you can read it again.
Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Your current subscription does not provide access to this content.
Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label.
Subscribe to online only and receive access to website content and our e-edition.
| Rate | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $40.00 | for 365 days |
| 6 months | $29.00 | for 180 days |
| 3 months | $23.00 | for 90 days |
| 1 Month | $5.00 | for 30 days |
| 2 years | $75.00 | for 730 days |
| One Dollar promo Monthly Digital Subscription | $1.00 | for 90 days |
Subscribe to the Columbia Gorge News for access to our print, web, and e-edition products.
| Rate | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year out of area | $55.00 | for 365 days |
| 2 years | $75.00 | for 730 days |
| 2 years out of area | $95.00 | for 730 days |
| 6 months | $29.00 | for 180 days |
| 6 months out of area | $46.00 | for 180 days |
| 3 months | $23.00 | for 90 days |
| 3 months out of area | $36.00 | for 90 days |
| 1 year | $45.00 | for 365 days |
The Hood River County School District is asking voters to renew its Local Option Levy — Measure 14-76 — on the May 16 ballot. It’s the same rate — $1.25 per $1,000 assessed tax value— that has been proposed since 2004.
I have voted in favor of the levy since the first time it appeared on the ballot. And I have seen firsthand how those funds have assisted the district in its mission of “Excellence. Every student. Every day.”
My oldest child began kindergarten at Mid Valley Elementary in September 2004. That happened to be the year Hood River County School District first put a local option levy on the May ballot to help fill some big holes after several years of lost state funding.
Unfortunately, it failed. The board had to choose between cutting instruction time and cutting staff, and they chose to cut staff — 12 positions in all. A Hood River News article listed the names and years of service of each, some of whom had been my teachers at Hood River Middle School and Hood River Valley High School.
A new levy appeared on the November 2004 ballot, and it did pass. There were still major gaps due to an ongoing lack of state funding, but thanks to the levy’s renewal in 2008, 2012 and 2018, the district has added back staff, programs and opportunities for our kids. And having watched my second child go through — Jo, who is set to graduate this year — I can attest to how much better things are now.
Not perfect — because the levy only covers so much. And Oregon has a terrible track record of funding education. But better.
Attend a school board meeting or look at the district’s financial reports (which are published monthly in board meeting packets and are extremely detailed) to see how well the district accounts for its funds. Administrators are serious about fiscal accountability and transparency, as shown by the nine consecutive unmodified financial audits the district has received.
You can also see it in our test scores and graduation rates — HRCSD is consistently ranked as one of the top three in the state — and the programs it offers, like AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) and career and technical education courses.
I am grateful that my children (and my husband and I) are products of this district — because not every community has what we have here in Hood River County. And even though I won’t have a child in the district anymore, I will continue to support its mission.
•••
Trisha Walker has covered Hood River County School District board meetings for Columbia Gorge News since 2021 and has lived in the Gorge since 1981.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published.
Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!
Receive weekly updates on obituaries and death notices.
Oregon Capital Press presented by Columbia Gorge News
Receive updates on upcoming promotions and special sections.
Receive weekly updates on local sports news.
Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
Commented