The Sweet Home School Board recognized several exceptional students and staff members during its Oct. 14 meeting.
Awards were given to students for their academic achievements and positive attitudes. The honored students were:
- Selah Wright, Sweet Home High School
- Louis Scott, Sweet Home High School
- Lincoln Towery, Sweet Home Junior High
- Halen Salvador, Sweet Home Junior High
- Grey Duffit, Foster Elementary
- Cruz Campbell, Foster Elementary
- Sidney Turpen, Hawthorne Elementary
- Branson Lynn, Hawthorne Elementary
- Annabelle Mengore, Hawthorne Elementary
- Autumn Holder, Oak Heights Elementary
- Sawyer Smith, Oak Heights Elementary
- Ellie Saathoff, Sweet Home Charter School
- Danika Ray, Sweet Home Charter School
In addition to student recognitions, community members Eternity Allison and Chris Allison were acknowledged for their quick response in a near-miss safety situation at Sweet Home High School. Eternity was presented with a lifesaving certificate from the district.
Antonia Jernejcic, a staff member from the junior high, was also honored for saving a choking student during lunch at Sweet Home Junior High. Superintendent Terry Martin reviewed surveillance footage of the incident, presenting it to the board and praised Jernejcic’s swift actions.
In other business:
- Classified representatives addressed the board. “After Noni coming up, what else can I say for classified? We’re here for the kids to serve and protect them,” Velma Canfield said. Steve Thorpe, another classified representative, commended the district, staff, and students for their response to a recent threat at the high school. Thorpe also highlighted recent events, including homecoming week, and expressed gratitude toward Kevin Strong, saying, “Kevin has been through more superintendents and more board members… You’re the steady right now, and that’s been very, very cool.”
- Student representative Trinity Victor reported on student activities, noting an increase in participation. The homecoming dance saw 387 students in attendance, an increase from last year, and 220 students signed up for fall sports. Victor also mentioned upcoming events, including a career fair and a canned food drive.
- Superintendent Terry Martin discussed the district’s declining enrollment, stating that it directly impacts funding. “The reason we bring this up every single meeting is that this is directly tied to the funding that we receive,” Martin said.
- The board introduced OAR Division 22 standards, and Barbi Riggs shared that the district is compliant in all areas, referencing last year’s report. She introduced Darrell Bidwell, Director of Transportation, who oversees the division standards.
- The board reviewed the district’s strategic plan progress, starting with assessment results for 2023-2024. Math and English Language Arts proficiencies showed positive trends at Holley, Oak Heights, and Foster Elementary Schools. Sweet Home High School also improved, with its proficiency rating increasing from 8.3% to 12%.
- The district was recognized by the City of Sweet Home for its efforts and response to recent threats at the high school.
- The renovation of Oak Heights Elementary is nearing completion, with an expected finish date of Saturday, Nov. 2.
- The board approved the minutes from the Sept. 9, 2024, meeting and unanimously approved the following hires: Rebecca Ley, Special Education Teacher at the high school for the 2024-2025 school year. Donna Dipietro, temporary Special Education Teacher at Foster Elementary for the 2024-2025 school year
- Kevin Strong, district budget manager, reassured the board that the budget is on track but continued to express concern over declining enrollment. He also noted that property taxes within the city limits have increased by over 11% compared to last year, explaining the reasons behind the rise.
- The board discussed discrepancies in existing board policies and proposed changes: EBBA – First Aid (Delete)
EBBA – Student Health Services
EBBAA – Infection Control and Bloodborne Pathogens
EBBB – Injury or Illness Reports
EBC – Emergency Plan and First Aid
EBC/EBCA – Emergency Procedures and Disaster Plans (Delete)
EBCA – Safety Threats
EBCB – Emergency Procedure Drills and Instruction
GBEB – Communicable Diseases in Schools
GBEB-AR – Communicable Diseases in Schools
Board Member Mary Massey raised concerns about the policies, recommending that the board follow the OAR (Oregon Administrative Rules) rather than the proposed policies, which were close but not an exact match.
“It concerns me, because it is the OAR that as a school board, we want to be sure we are following rules,” Massey said.
- A board member also proposed a climate survey for staff aimed at gathering data for strategic planning. The proposal did not pass, as members stated it is already part of the strategic plan.