By Chelly Bouferrache
For The New Era
At its April 14 meeting, the Central Linn School Board voted 6-1 to adopt a four-day school week for the 2025-26 school year, considering cost, student well-being, and equitable access after extensive discussion.
The decision shifts the district back from its current five-day schedule, focusing on compliance with state requirements and addressing barriers to student participation.
A board member presented an analysis of the district’s Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) data from the past three school years to inform the board’s decision-making. Unlike other state tests, which allow opt-outs and yield inconsistent results, MAP data provided a more reliable measure of student performance.
Temporary Supt. Cathy Hurowitz clarified: “We wanted you all to have not only the opinions of our staff, but to see if our data showed any changes with the five-day weeks versus the four. It really is pretty flat.”
Board members considered three calendar options for 2025-26: a four-day school week, a four-day week with an optional Friday, and a five-day week.
Discussions focused on cost savings, Oregon Department of Education in-seat hour requirements, attendance trends, and potential barriers to student access, particularly for marginalized groups.
After some debate, the board voted 6-1 to adopt the four-day school week, leaving specific start and end dates to be determined later.
The board also approved the biennial Integrated Guidance Application, a state-required plan tied to approximately $800,000 in funding.
In response to requests from educators and state legislators, the state Department of Education has in recent years worked to simplify and align the grant application processes for various federal and state educational funding sources focused on educational innovation and improvement. The result has been combined processes for community engagement, needs assessment, planning, budgeting and evaluation for nine programs.
Submitted to the Oregon Department of Education, the application is a streamlined request for funding for student achievement programs, mental health, career readiness, and community engagement. Key investments include wellness staff, Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway expansion, AVID training, and exploration of an online academy, which Hurowitz noted could generate additional revenue.
In other significant actions, the board voted to schedule school board meetings at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. They also adopted a “controversial curriculum” policy modeled after the Scappoose School District’s “controversial curriculum” policy.
Additionally, the board confirmed that all mailings for the district’s upcoming bond measure have been approved by the state, advancing efforts to secure voter support.
Bond Measure Specifics
The measure requests voter approval to issue $34,550,000 in bonds to construct a new classroom wing at Central Linn High School and improve the elementary school facilities.
The bond, which could be issued in multiple series, each maturing within 20 years, would cost district property owners $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed value, though actual levy rates could vary due to final interest rates and changes in assessed value, according to the district’s statement for the May 20 election.
Specifically, the bond would pay for remodeling of the Cobra Dome Gymnasium and auditorium, demolishing 1950s-era classrooms wings, which would be replaced with “new and accessible” facilities that would include flexible learning spaces, a dedicated kitchen, a cafeteria and locker rooms; safety, security and accessibility improvements; replacement of “obsolete” electrical service; asbestos abatement; and improvements to the CTE shop, which would include an interior shop and learning spaces.
At Central Linn Elementary School, the bond would pay for improved safety, security and accessibility; new windows, painting, roofing and painting; stormwater improvements; improvements and expansions to the kitchen; and restroom improvements that would include additional facilities.
A citizen oversight committee would be established to ensure that bond money is used for the intended purposes.
Also at the meeting, Associated Student Body representatives shared updates on upcoming events, including a luau, senior countdown to graduation, an all-night senior party, and spring sports.
The board addressed personnel and scheduling changes as well.
Board member Suzanne Parker discussed her resignation at the end of her term, noting she will appear on the ballot but is no longer running.
Candidates for the other seats, all running unopposed, are: Stacey Winter for the Zone 1 seat; Garrett Leabo for Zone 2; Levi Farris for Zone 3; Steve Irwin for Zone 6; and Donald Fleckenstein for Zone 7. With Parker out, there is no candidate who has filed for the Zone 4 seat.
The May board meeting was rescheduled to May 19, 2025, with unanimous approval.