Rep. Yunker: Kotek’s school plan is a wolf in sheep’s clothing

By Oregon State Representative Dwayne Yunker
March 10, 2025

Ways and Means Education Subcommittee member Representative Dwayne Yunker (R-Grants Pass) slammed the so-called “school accountability plan” Gov. Tina Kotek released today as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“Kotek’s not fixing failing schools—she’s consolidating power,” said Representative Yunker. “After years of state mandates that have lowered standards and created chaos, she now wants to usurp even more local control from school districts, disguised as ‘accountability.’”

HER PLAN: A POWER GRAB

• Bigger Bureaucracy, Same Failures – Expanding the Oregon Department of Education means more activism instead of academics.
• State-Controlled Spending – Unelected state bureaucrats will dictate how local school districts use 25% of their local district funding.
• Punishing Schools, No Standards – Oregon already lags in basic academic standards and standardized testing compliance, yet this plan does nothing to address these failures.

REAL ACCOUNTABILITY: HOUSE BILL 3055

Representative Yunker today announced his competing proposal, House Bill 3055, which seeks to make sure schools meet federal guidelines for standardize testing at least 95% of students to ensure students aren’t falling through the cracks.

“We need results, not bureaucracy,” said Representative Yunker. “Taxpayer dollars should go to schools that prove they’re educating kids.”

Oregon students deserve better—real accountability, high standards, and measurable progress.