Shifting Strategy for Washington County Preschool for All

In November 2020, voters in Multnomah County overwhelmingly supported Preschool for All with more than 64% of voters approving the measure. Preschool for All gives three- and four-year-olds in Multnomah County access to free, high-quality, developmentally-appropriate, and culturally-responsive preschool experiences. Last month, families received placement offers for preschool slots–in this first year, there were almost 1100 applications from families, and 69% of the family applications were for children who identified as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.

For Multnomah County Preschool for All, SVP Portland helped build relationships between key stakeholders, and collaborated with cross-sector allies to design the policy and drive the campaign. All young children in Washington County also deserve positive early learning experiences, which is why we joined the Washington County Preschool for All effort by providing a grant for the first phase of planning and serving on the task force.

Our hope was to get the universal pre-K measure on the Washington County ballot this year, but we are disappointed to share with you that this will not be the case. Olga Acuña (Hillsboro School District), Mayor Lacey Beaty (Beaverton), and Bridget Cooke (Adelante Mujeres), the co-chairs of the Preschool for All initiative, stated that county elected officials do not feel that they have adequate time to prepare the measure and are not going to refer it to the ballot this Fall. In a joint statement, they said, “While we are disheartened by this news, we also know that the work our coalition has done is far too important to stop now. The conditions that motivated us to come together have not changed. On the contrary, more than ever our children need and deserve access to a joyful, quality, affordable, and equitable preschool experience. We also know that we have an excellent framework, policy vision, and coalition to get us there.”

Despite the frustration, there is reason to be hopeful. The hundreds of hours of effort that dedicated individuals have put into this initiative will not be in vain. We will pivot to a new strategy to collect signatures to qualify Preschool for All for the November 2024 ballot (the nearest possible election for this type of measure). This shift allows leaders and voters alike to renew our energy, engage with voters at a grassroots level, and build even more momentum. As SVP Partner Mark Holloway put it, “SVP's investment will continue to fuel the community education, coalition building, and strategy development needed to achieve the win. Onward!”