By Anne Scheck
2017 Enrollment Drop Sends Revenue Down
A drop of 30 students in enrollment at Central District 13J schools means a difference of about $200,000 in revenue for the district, though the reduction doesn’t come as a surprise, Superintendent Jennifer Kubista EdD told school-board members at their meeting in early October.
“We are right now, right on” last year's projections, she said. The biggest loss – 27 students – occurred at the elementary level, just as expected. Lower enrollments are anticipated in the future, according to statewide trends; Fewer Oregon kindergartners are entering the school system, she noted.
State money awarded to the district follows a formula that, in part, is based on student population. As a result, the board may want to “take a deeper dive” into what these declines will mean for the next few years, Dr. Kubista said. She suggested quarterly reports might be appropriate.
“We are right now, right on” last year's projections, she said. The biggest loss – 27 students – occurred at the elementary level, just as expected. Lower enrollments are anticipated in the future, according to statewide trends; Fewer Oregon kindergartners are entering the school system, she noted.
State money awarded to the district follows a formula that, in part, is based on student population. As a result, the board may want to “take a deeper dive” into what these declines will mean for the next few years, Dr. Kubista said. She suggested quarterly reports might be appropriate.
CHS Students Put Protest in to Play
About 100 people participated in a protest march Sunday that largely was organized by Central High School (CHS) students to demonstrate against the threatened deportation of undocumented community members. “These students should be able to stay,” said Julia Wright, a CHS senior and a chief organizer of the event. Ms. Wright, whose mother is from Spain, said seeing acquaintances frightened by recent reports of immigrant crackdowns spurred her to take action.
The effort was undertaken after Ms. Wright and her father, Alan Wright, an engineer in Independence, met with CHS principal Jann Jobe following Ms. Wright’s plan to stage a school walk-out. “Julia has a strong sense of social justice and obligation,” Mr. Wright explained. At the meeting, it was decided that an organized public demonstration would be better, he said.
The fact that some local students live in fear simply because they were not born in the United States is “obscene, just morally reprehensible,” said Rep Paul Evans, who attended the event. Noting that many of these students have been part of the American educational system since they were children, he added that the deportation movement makes no sense. “We have invested in them and they’re investing in us,” he said.
The marchers, who chanted “Up for education, Down for deportation,” included several representatives from the school district – on hand were Superintendent Jennifer Kubista EdD and 2016 school board member Steve Milligan, currently mayor of Monmouth. The walk began at the football stadium of Western Oregon University and concluded at Riverview Park in Independence.
The effort was undertaken after Ms. Wright and her father, Alan Wright, an engineer in Independence, met with CHS principal Jann Jobe following Ms. Wright’s plan to stage a school walk-out. “Julia has a strong sense of social justice and obligation,” Mr. Wright explained. At the meeting, it was decided that an organized public demonstration would be better, he said.
The fact that some local students live in fear simply because they were not born in the United States is “obscene, just morally reprehensible,” said Rep Paul Evans, who attended the event. Noting that many of these students have been part of the American educational system since they were children, he added that the deportation movement makes no sense. “We have invested in them and they’re investing in us,” he said.
The marchers, who chanted “Up for education, Down for deportation,” included several representatives from the school district – on hand were Superintendent Jennifer Kubista EdD and 2016 school board member Steve Milligan, currently mayor of Monmouth. The walk began at the football stadium of Western Oregon University and concluded at Riverview Park in Independence.
‘Assist Animal’ Policy for District Students
A policy on “assist animals” that accompany students to class and school activities will be drawn up so that “it’s crystal clear to families as they move in this direction,” said Superintendent Jennifer Kubista EdD.
Currently, the district has no policy, she explained. Senate Bill 610, which passed in 2013, calls for such plans. As a result, Dr. Kubista and the district staff have been looking over actions taken by other school districts, as well as recommendations from the district’s insurer on issues such as dog hygiene. “This allows us to have oversight in this process,” she said.
Currently, the district has no policy, she explained. Senate Bill 610, which passed in 2013, calls for such plans. As a result, Dr. Kubista and the district staff have been looking over actions taken by other school districts, as well as recommendations from the district’s insurer on issues such as dog hygiene. “This allows us to have oversight in this process,” she said.
Leaking Roof
Rain is coming and there’s a leaky part in the roof of Central High School – but hopefully not for long ... A new engineering report is on its way after a few years of patchwork on the seam between the old CHS building and the newer addition, according to Cec Koontz, business manager for the school district. The final price tag isn't yet known, but the bill is expected to be between $75,000 and $150,000, depending on the level of repair needed, she said.
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