Whistleblower sues Oregon over school funding formula that shortchanges poor students

A former data analyst for the state of Oregon has filed a wrongful termination suit alleging that he was dismissed after trying for months to call attention to systemic problems with the state’s method for funding schools that serve large numbers of students from low-income families.

Jesse Helligso’s suit against the state of Oregon and the Legislature was filed Nov. 5 in Marion County Circuit Court. He is seeking $556,667 in damages to compensate…