Inbox

[April 1st, 2009]

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEP
Your March 25 story, “Charter Duel,” about Leadership and Entrepreneurial Public High School (LEP), raises some important points about how Portland Public Schools supports charter schools.

LEP provides an innovative and rigorous program for its students. Unfortunately, LEP’s independent financial audit and their accounting records showed that their financial status is highly unstable. Their audit showed a deficit balance of more than $140,000. The deficit was prior to this year’s reduction in state school funding.

LEP receives 95% of state school funding—a level defined by ORS 338.155(2)(b). The same formula holds true for the distribution of the School Day Restoration Fund in the current federal stimulus package. The two charter schools that are currently recommended for renewal receive 80% of state school funding and are financially stable. They also have other diversified funding sources beyond what they receive through PPS.

State law also defines the levels of support school districts must provide charter schools for foster children and those living in poverty. PPS supports effective and financially viable charter school programs. Charter schools are an important option for our students. They offer greater flexibility and autonomy for staff but that comes with increased accountability—including financial accountability.

I hope the staff at LEP can harness the same entrepreneurial spirit they teach to improve the school’s financial stability. I sincerely hope their efforts to overcome this financial crisis are successful.

Jenni Villano
Director of education options, Portland Public Schools

Editor’s note: See Murmurs, page 13, for an update.

WHO IS THE OLCC REALLY PROTECTING?
Regarding your review of Paris Blues at Cinema 21 [March 25, 2009], you might have mentioned that this film is only open to those 21 and older. Thanks to OLCC rules, a jazz-loving parent is prohibited from taking his jazz musician kid to the film just because beer and wine are served. OLCC’s magnanimous interest in “protecting” children from being exposed to a parent drinking a glass of wine in the movie theater results in adults being able to see the movie, and kids therefore encouraged to hang out amongst themselves—presumably doing something less threatening than sitting in a movie theater showing a music-centered film from 1961.

Maybe rules should be changed to allow minors to attend these screenings with their parents/guardians.

Maybe OLCC is really more concerned with protecting its own empire than promoting the greater good in Oregon.

Chris Palmedo
Southwest 48th Avenue