Benny Westcott
The COVID-19 pandemic’s after-effects is still being felt in local schools, principals told the School Board Monday, Oct. 10.
At the board’s monthly meeting, principals shared the highlights from their school’s performance in the Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) tests. The state is set to release the results to the public later in the week.
Many administration members noted much room for improvement.
“We’re not standing back from the data,” Supt. Terry Martin said. “Our achievement is not as good as what we’d like. But we’re also coming up with plans to lead us out of that.”
He said that “It’s not just something local. It’s across the state and nation. Achievement took a hit with us not being in our wheelhouse with kids in school everyday.”
Oak Heights Elementary Principal Todd Barrett said, “The pandemic hit us hard. There’s no sugar-coating that. We have a lot of work to do with those kids that missed the last couple years of school.”
Hawthorne Elementary Principal Deborah Phillips added that, “We are very proud of all of our students, obviously, but it’s been rough. It’s going to be a multi-year recovery.”
The High School’s 11th grade scores in math and English/language arts (ELA) were below the state average.
On a positive note, High School Principal Ralph Brown noted that that SHHS’s graduation rate in 2021 was 82%, one point over the state average. The school’s graduation rate among homeless students was 63%, higher than the state’s rate of 55%, and its graduation rate among economically disadvantaged students sat at 83%, above the state rate of 77%.
SHHS’s graduation rate among students with disabilities was 74%, also above the state average of 66%.
Additionally, the school’s 2022 ninth-graders who are on track to graduate are higher across the board in all of those categories than the 2021 graduation rates, a sign of improvements ahead. SHHS’s ninth grade on-track to graduate rate was 86%. That rate was 82% for the homeless, 86% for the economically disadvantaged, and 83% for students with disabilities.
“We are looking for good times ahead,” Brown said. “We are excited about that.”
At the Junior High, the class size average is 20 students to one teacher, while the state average is 22:1. The school is within 2% of the state average for math and science.
At Foster Elementary, the school met the state average in math, with 34% of students testing proficient. 41% of Foster students tested proficient in ELA, just under the state average of 43%. Third and sixth grade exceeded state averages in both subject areas.
“I was really proud about that,” Foster Principal Luke Augsburger said. “We had some pockets of success in other grade levels as well, that just missed the mark, but as far as reaching those academic goals and recovering from the learning loss that took place, we really hit it hard last year. And under some adverse conditions, we were able to really make up some good ground. So we are happy to continue that growth this year.”
At Hawthorne, 46% of the school’s third-graders tested proficient in ELA, while 40% of the school’s fourth-graders tested proficient in the subject, and 36% of fourth-graders were proficient in math. All of those statistics were above the state average. Hawthorne’s fifth grade science students also met the state average, with 31% testing proficient. The school’s overall attendance was higher than the state average.
At Holley Elementary, 59% of fourth-graders tested proficient in ELA, a figure well above the state average of 34%. The school was also deemed at a Level 4 for growth for students in math, with Level 5 being the highest mark.
“We’re not getting to that level that we need to be, but we’re growing in the correct direction,” Holley Principal Josh Dargis said. “Hopefully, in future years, we will get to where we need to go.”
Oak Heights’ third-grade ELA scores were above the district average. The school was also rated a Level 5, the highest level, for growth in the area of students with disabilities.
Martin reported that the district’s enrollment as of Sept. 30, 2022 was 2,341 students, up 92 students from the same point last year. The figure is also up 20 students over the pre-pandemic statistic of 2,321 enrolled students on Sept. 30, 2019.
“That’s a good feeling,” Martin said, adding that “Positive enrollment correlates to positive funding. So we’ll accept success where we find it.”
The average attendance district-wide for the month of September was 91.08%.
“We’re shooting for 95%, but 91% for district average blows last year and the year before completely out of the water,” Martin said. “To be above 90% is a good feeling. We need our students in school so they can learn.”
The district’s attendance award for the month of September went to Hawthorne. The school averaged 94% attendance for the month.
Staff Reports Normalcy Returning
Certified Representative Steve Thorpe relished a return to normalcy.
“This is the first (Homecoming) bonfire we’ve had since 2019. This is going to be the first time that we’ve had normal for a little while,” Thorpe said.
Classified Representative Velma Canfield echoed that sentiment, saying, “Kids are so excited to be there without the restrictions that we had last year. It’s just nice to have the feeling that things are back to normal.”
Thorpe said he was pleased with how the school year has gotten under way.
“I started my 32nd year this year, and right now we have a different feel,” he said. “It’s one of the best starts I’ve had to school. I really don’t remember when I’ve felt this great about how things are going and the direction we’re headed, and the overall excitement that we have.”
He noted ripple effects from a no cell phone rule at the high school.
“We’re doing some non-negotiables at the high school,” he explained. “And one of the biggest ones is no cell phones. That has been one of the most positive things that we have done. When I heard a teacher say that a student said, ‘We actually have to talk to each other now,’ it was kind of cool.”
He acknowledged that “last year wasn’t pleasant, and it ended with a tough situation. But how we’ve started off this year has been really good.”
He gave credit to Martin.
“Terry, you stepped into a tough situation and you’re doing a good job,” he said.
Thorpe added that “It’s kind of fun to be this old and this long in the game, and still be excited about what you’re doing.”
Music and Brews Festival Request
The Oregon Jamboree has asked for permission to host a Music and Brews festival at the school district’s parking lot north of the high school April 15-16, 2023.
Board policies KGB and KG-AR currently prohibit alcohol on district property. To allow the event, these policies would have to be modified.
The district reached out to its insurance company regarding the matter. District Business Manager Kevin Strong reported that while they have concerns with allowing alcohol on district property, the insurance provider will support what the board decides.
Last year’s Music and Brews festival was held in April in the parking lot west of the Rio Theatre.
“What we were told is that that is unavailable to the Jamboree this year, and that is why they’ve asked us for permission to use the parking lot across Long Street from the high school,” Strong said.
Board Member Dale Keene was against the idea. “My thoughts are, don’t do it,” he said.
Debra Brown, on the other hand, said “I’m OK with it, for that event.”
Jason Van Eck, recently retired as a police officer , added, “I’m not aware of any incidents that happened last year that needed a response from law enforcement.”
Van Eck, whose wife is a Jamboree staffer, added that he thought last year’s turnout was less than organizers hoped for.
“I don’t know if they’re downsizing this year or not. I know that costs have gone up significantly, so they’re just trying to find a place to try to have it. They are looking for a paved or concrete area to put a giant tent on.”
Van Eck said that the plan for the event would be for it to take place in an enclosed tent and to only allow people 21 years of age or older in.
Strong said that “What (Oregon Jamboree Festival Director Robert Shamek) told me is that he looked (at other venues), and felt that this would work the best for the event.”
Strong used a door analogy to describe the situation: “Right now, when it comes to alcohol on district property, the door is shut,” he said. “If you allow this or anything else, even a crack, it does open the door for other requests. It doesn’t mean that we have to grant them. But right now the door is shut.
“Do we want to allow that crack in the door? Is the upside for the district in allowing this enough, given what comes with it?”
He emphasized “That really is the question for you as the board, knowing too that the Jamboree has been a longtime excellent community partner.”
Board Chairman Mike Reynolds said “There would probably be no harm in looking into what a policy would look like. I would like ours to be very specific to that venue, and not open doors to other spots without another alteration.”
Jamboree Benefits Students
Oregon Jamboree Supervisor Larry Johnson informed Brown in a letter that approximately 152 high school students were directly involved in fundraising for three days of the Oregon Jamboree, and a minimum of 63 adults volunteered their time and effort working with the students.
Funds earned from the effort amounted to $44,446.49 in total, which will be distributed to the various school-related groups that took part in the event.
“The effort by all is reflective of how involved our community is,” Johnson wrote in the letter. “Hopefully, the students see what volunteers can do to make a town better. They may in the future get involved in whatever community they live in.”
Labor Costs Increase Budget
Strong noted in his budget update that year-to-date spending for the district is just over $281,000 higher than the same time period last year.
He said that the most significant reason for the increase is higher classified labor expenses.
“Part of that is due to the wage increase that was negotiated, but the largest part of it is that we have hired a lot of additional classified support staff members this year. We’ve been busy hiring, and that’s reflective in what you see in spending.”
“Some of the money that we’ll be getting from additional enrollment is going there to additional classified support, to help support those students.”
The property tax information that Linn County released last week indicated that the Sweet Home School District’s bond rate is $1.50 per $1,000. The rate decreased by $0.03 per $1,000 from the previous year. Twenty years ago, the rate was at $1.91 per $1,000, Strong shared.
“It’s also worth pointing out that prior to the 2017 bond, it was at $1.62 per $1,000,” Strong said. “One of our promises was that we would be able to maintain the tax rate with that bond. Not only have we maintained it, but due to growth in assessed value in the district, it’s declined by $0.12 per $1,000.
Oak Heights Seismic Grant Request
The board unanimously approved sending a letter to the state’s Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Committee asking that Oak Heights be awarded a grant in the 2022 funding cycle.
The district has been submitting seismic applications for the school every year since 2016, “delaying other necessary projects because it makes sense to complete the seismic work first,” the letter read.
Visible improvements have been made to other schools in the district with funding from seismic grants.
The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries website shows that the school has a high collapse potential.
In other action, the board:
— Unanimously gave approval for the district to contract with Environmental Controls Corp. (ECC) to provide and install Alerton HVAC control parts for Oak Heights, Hawthorne and Sweet Home High School utilizing sole source procurement. Board Policy DJC-AR allows an exemption from competitive bidding with school board approval when only one vendor can provide the product or service.
The district believed ECC to be the only authorized dealer for Alerton products in the state of Oregon. Because ECC is the only provider, there are no other options to acquire these parts and services.
The total cost is expected to be approximately $250,000. The district plans to utilize federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds to pay for the project.
— Unanimously appointed Henry Blomberg to the District Budget Committee in Position #7 At Large.
— Declared as surplus from the High School: Motors: 3.8L Buick, 3.7 L Chrysler, 01-05 D17AI Honda Civic Motor, 5.7 L Chevy 350, 1.5L Toyota, Nissan 353 401. Nissan 710 264, 2.0 L Chrysler, V6 Ford 77-80, Chevy 250 (1966-1984), Chevy 230 1250 (1964-1976), Chevy 250 (1975-1976).
— Declared as surplus from the High School band room: miscellaneous chairs, tables, desks; Ludwig drum parts (two kick drum shells, seeral tom shells, two high hat stands, snare drum shell, and miscellaneous part); miscellaneous old sound gear – one old SUNN “Concert Controller 1”, one old JBL guitar amp, one Yamaha Speaker, two Yorkville Speakers “Performance Series”, two Cerwin-Vega monitor wedges “SM-1,” one SHURE “Vocal Master” model “VA-302-C”, two Tall SHURE speakers that were part of a kit with the SHURE Vocal Master, one Mantray 15″ loudspeaker, one Fender Sidekick model “108 BASS” speaker, 32 light fixtures.”
— Approved the hire of Marissa Russell, temporary fifth grade teacher at Foster Elementary for the 2022-2023 school year.
— Accepted a resignation from Abigayle O’Neil Burns, fifth grade teacher at Foster Elementary effective immediately.