As we approach winter break, I want to wish you and your family a restful and joyful holiday season. We hope this time provides opportunities to slow down, relax, and create meaningful memories with loved ones. We are grateful for the partnership we share with our families and the support you provide our students every day.

As part of my regular monthly newsletter, I’d like to share a few updates and highlights from around our district. This includes information on state-level education work, planning for the months ahead, and celebrations that reflect the great things happening in our schools. Coos Bay School District remains focused on student success, continuous improvement, and strong collaboration with families.

We are thrilled to share that feedback from recent family conferences was overwhelmingly positive. Families across the district reported that:

This feedback reflects the dedication of our staff and the strong partnerships we share with families. Thank you for your engagement and trust in our schools.

Listening to students and families remains a priority for Coos Bay Schools.

Student Advisory Groups recently shared thoughtful insights about what helps students succeed, including positive relationships, engaging learning experiences, and meaningful celebrations that build school pride. Students emphasized the importance of welcoming school environments and positive connections with staff.

Our Student Success Committee, which includes students, parents, staff, and community members, met to review a school climate survey aligned with our belief that all students are successful. This survey will be shared after winter break, and we appreciate your participation in helping guide our continued improvement.

I am grateful to share that the Coos Bay School Board has voted to begin contract negotiations with me to continue serving as Superintendent. I am honored by the board’s confidence and excited to continue working alongside our staff, families, and community to support student success.

Coos Bay Schools is making meaningful progress. We are reflecting on our practices, celebrating growth, and working together to improve every day. Thank you for your partnership, your care for students, and your commitment to our shared mission.

We had a number of student groups participating in events that really showcased the generosity and holiday spirit of the students of Coos Bay School District.

Destinations' leadership students and MHS' Charity Students both put together holiday food boxes for families in need.

The Latin-X Club and the ARK Project bought and wrapped gifts for families who needed a little support this season.

We are so grateful to have such amazing opportunities for students and staff to help lift the community up!

Our attendance number took a pretty significant hit in December, with our district regular attendance rate dipping below 80%. Our district goal is in line with Oregon Department of Education expectations that our regular attendance rate is 90%. We can get our rate back up; everyday that students attend will help them be better prepared for the future.

Please find a few helpful resources below.

The Oregon Department of Education has officially adopted new statewide education accountability measures under Senate Bill 141. These measures are designed to create greater consistency across districts while still honoring the unique strengths and priorities of local communities.

All Oregon school districts will now set growth goals in the following areas:

In addition, districts will select one local area of focus, such as academic growth, multilingual achievement, science learning, college and career readiness, or career and technical education.

These focus areas align closely with priorities Coos Bay Schools has emphasized for several years. We are already seeing positive growth for students, and these measures provide an opportunity to highlight the strong work happening in our schools. As the state continues to release tools and guidance, we will ensure our goals reflect both high expectations and the strengths of our students and community.

The state’s most recent revenue forecast showed improvement compared to earlier projections, which is encouraging. While Oregon continues to plan carefully for future budget needs, there are protections in place to support public education during uncertain times.

One of those protections is the Education Stability Fund, which exists specifically to help minimize impacts to classrooms and students during economic fluctuations. This fund provides an important safeguard for school districts across the state.

For Coos Bay School District, this means:

We want families to know that this is a time for thoughtful planning, not concern. Our commitment is to remain transparent, responsible, and student-centered in every decision we make.