001to my hand. >> We'll start with the board member roll call. Jenna here. Heidi here is here. And we'll stand also award vision statement is our vision is to strive for a learning environment that partners with the community to fully prepare lifelong learners to thrive in a complex world. Our mission statement is to engage with students, families, staff, and community members as we provide accessible, relevant, and meaningful education experiences. I want to thank everybody for coming tonight. Um to be more efficient in accommodating to the large amount of group of people we have today and public comments, I'd like to ask for a motion from the board to move the public comment section of the agenda from item four to item two. >> I move uh to amend the agenda to move public comment from
002item number four to to number two. >> I'll second all those in favor. >> Anybody opposed? Okay. Uh we will start by the order these will receive and our first intent to speak is oh I got the sorry at this time I'd like to invite any member of the audience that submitted a public comment to prepare to speak with comments about items of interest or concerning a concurrence this evening. Patrons were asked to submit public comment prior to the meeting. You will take comment in the order received. Please begin by stating your name. And if you live in the school district, it would be appreciated if you limit your comments to three minutes so that we can keep the meeting moving in a timely fashion and allow others the opportunity to speak. We ask that
003you remember that the Oregon law prohibits us from discussing specific employees for their job performance. Thank you for supporting the Victoria School District. First person is >> Adam Swinson 33411 Highway 101 business for you. >> Just so you know before so I have the camera on. If you get there it'll make a noise that's aggressive. >> I'll read. Hi, my name is Adam Swanson. I'm a parent of a freshman and a junior at Esia High School. I'm also the Aspor girls assistant softball coach. During the softball season, I had the opportunity to work with coach Kilo when she joined the softball staff. I saw firsthand that she is a great coach and I'm here today to ask that the decision to let Te go as the girls varsity basketball coach be reconsidered. Te goes above
004and beyond when it comes to the girls basketball programs starting with their annual casino night fundraiser. The money raised from this event not only funds the entire high school program but also funds the youth escorting girls basketball club. This year I coached the eighth grade youth team and saw incredible improvement and excitement from the girls to become a story high school basketball players. This team like all the others was funded by a story girls basketball club a 501c3 created by team. With this nonprofit she funded uniforms for all fit through eighth grade travel teams. Funded all tournaments for fifth through 8th grade travel teams. Paid for all teams to participate in the same tournament. purchased sweatshirts for all fourth through sixth grade parks and recre basketball teams. For years, youth coaches have talked about building
005your program just like this, but no one ever made it happen. It took two years. I'm worried the decision to let coach Silva go not only affects the high school, but also puts a stop to this successful youth program. I don't see another coach being able to take on all of this. Without teeth, we don't have a leader. And without a leader, we don't have a program. But her leadership skills and ability to get stuff done is unlike anything I've ever seen from a coach. I want to keep this short, but I printed out a list of some of the things provided for the asy basketball program for the high school and youth. This was made by some of the parents and kids. She spends countless hours organizing weekly teen dinners, painting parties, team retreats,
006holiday parties, media days, involving the girls in community service. If it's okay, I would like to give everyone a copy of this list and ask that you read it over and again that this decision to dismiss coach is reconsidered. Have some conversations, please. Thank you for your time. Appreciate it. Thanks. >> Thank you. Okay, next is Kaiso what's very Hello fellow members of the community. My name is Kaisen. I'm here today to share my experience as an athlete in the girls basketball program as well as softball program. This last year I was a freshman transfer student. I transferred to my story about halfway through the year and I was feeling very overwhelmed, scared, and anxious. then adding an attempt to play basketball with the team midway through the season. See on achievements, I was relieved
007to be welcomed into the basketball program by the coaching staff and current players. After my first week, Coach Sa and I had a meeting and the first thing she asked me was, "How are you doing and how are we adjusting?" Um, we we talked and she laid out a four-year plan for me in her program. We ended the conversation with her saying, "I would like to keep an open communication with you and you can always talk to me." I left the meeting feeling a sense of belonging and that I had someone in my corner and they just wanted to see me thrive and succeed. Throughout the season, there were many ups and downs as well as injuries, but coach maintained a strong team culture. At the end of the season, I regained my love of
008basketball and I had confidence in my place in the program. playing for coach Silva. I learned to build my athletic mindset, including my coachability, endurance, and discipline. As you all know, softball program just won the state championship this last year, and I was blessed to be a part of that team. Coach Silva was an assistant coach and our number one headman. She kept us in the dugout and in check. Uh coach often worked with outfielders and as I was a starting left fielder I benefited greatly from the consistent reps and feedback. Also as a freshman I didn't get many hats but coach was always advocating for me which made me feel seen as an athlete. I believe it took every single player and coach to accomplish winning that state championship and I believe together we
009can do it again. We needed our coach so I will never forget the hug she gave me after the state game. She told me how proud she was of me and now after she wins that I transferred. I accomplished big things this year. I transferred. I maintained a 4.0 in my scholastics, received a varsity letter in basketball, varsity letter in softball, and helped win a state championship. Coach Silva has a huge positive impact on my life and has taught me many other skills. It would be such a disservice to our younger female athletes if they couldn't have coach Silva as a coach. So, thank you, Coach Silva, for your support, encouragement, and belief in me. Thank you. Can you state whether you live in the district? >> Oh, sorry. I live in uh 13. >>
010With that, we will move on to Mallerie Dundas. Hello, I'm Mallerie Dundas 35003. Um, once again, I'm Mallerie and I was a senior this past season on the Ato girls basketball team. Basketball is never something that really came easy to me because of my intense struggles with anxiety that caused me countless restless nights and impacted performance. But these past few years, I had the opportunity to play for a coach that understood my struggles. Every good coach has expectations and holds kids accountable. And I'm not going to pretend that there were not bumps along the way with my relationship with Coach Silva. But what I can say for sure is that she was there to tell me that she could see what I was going through while still holding me to a standard. In fact, it
011was refreshing to have a coach who could tell me straight up that I was not playing as well as I can than one who would pull me from the game with no explanation. This year, I truly learned so much like the fact that I'm simply not meant to be a vocal leader and I'm much more fit to lead by example. that sometimes unexpected changes happen, but you have to be um ready to step up. And Silva helps me during this moment. Silva also has inspired me as she has proved to me time and time again that a woman's value should not be overlooked in sports, whether it be coaching or on the court. Many still can't handle that a woman can be passionate and frustrated and someone who won't back down. The hours that Coach
012Silva put into the program very likely outnumber those of any other coach in the school, watching game film, creating strategies, fundraising, and just thinking of us. The fundraiser in particular takes a lot of time but is well paid off. We ate before each game. We were able to go on trips and just never have to worry about the money. All kids deserve equal opportunities despite their financial situation and coach was always ready to make sure to provide for every kid and take the money aspect from the equation completely. I think the program and school will really miss having Silva around and I really wish we had some solid conclusive reasoning and answers to why she cannot return. Thank you. Okay, Brooklyn Avalon. >> Hi, my name is Brooklyn Avalon and I attend Atoria High School.
013I am proud to say that I'm also a member of the Atoria girls basketball program. I'm here to share how sad and disappointed I am about the recent decision to remove Coach Silver from her role as head girls basketball coach. This decision is affecting our team. One of the reasons I chose to attend school in this district was not only because of its strong academic reputation, but also for the girls basketball program. I was excited about the opportunity to grow in both the classroom and on the court, especially getting to play under the leadership of Coach Silva. Coach Silva has made a huge impact on both me and my teammates. She helps us become stronger and more confident in our everyday lives. Her support goes beyond the basketball court. She organizes all of our fundraising
014events, arranges team meals before every game, manages our summer ball schedule, and even writes personal note cards for each of us before every game. Her cards encourage us. They remind us that we matter and that she believes in us. She gives us so much of her own time to make sure we are prepared, that we know she supports us, and that we are never forgotten. Coach Silva didn't just help us become better basketball players. She brought us together and made us feel like a family. Our expectations might be high, but that just makes her a strong leader. She pushes us to be the best we can be because she believes in us. She knows our potential, and she won't let us settle for less. She taught us how to trust each other, how to work
015as a team, and to show up every single day because it matters. Her leadership has made the Ask Royal girls basketball program what it is. I hope you can take into consideration how much Coach Solo matters to us and our team. She is so much more than a coach. She is a role model. She is someone who is always there for us. And she is someone who cares about our personal growth both on and off the court. I hope you can live in the district. >> Right. Next is Caitlyn Arnad. >> Hello, my name is Kaitlyn Barnesy. I'm going in my senior year at Pastori High School. I'm here to address the release of my high school basketball coach. I would like to share my experience from the past two years where I got to
016have coach Silva as my coach. Within these two seasons, my coach and I grew so much. She did not sound the best, but I grew to respect her to the point that I asked her to be my mentor for my student project. Coach did so much for us through the fundraisers, coaching, setting up hard schedules to play the best to get better, and team bonding activities. She was one of the well-rounded coaches. Coaching was just not in her mind, not always. Coaching was not just in her mind, but also making sure we were fed before and after every game. She gave us Christmas presents at Christmas time and made each and every girl heard on the team. She cared so much about everyone. One of my favorite things before every game was receiving a card
017before I went to play. On the card was something to have a goal about for the game and something positive that I have been doing good. She is one of the most caring and involved coaches not just in our program but even down to the youth. She made sure there was tournaments for the story girls basketball club youth teams and went to their games and got them uniforms and hoodies. She even brought them to be our water girls night at games that got them really interested and excited to play high school in high school. I think everyone has ups and downs with a coach and you learn to persevere through them. My parents have always taught me to face adversity and find the positive that comes with it because others including adults don't have this
018perspective. I think there's a lot of unnecessary drama that has divided our team because of this to say the least. It is pretty disheartening that I'm potentially going in onto my third youth third coach and not one person has asked me about my opinion. As a senior, I was looking forward to this season with coach Silva. just because someone that I can trust and someone that I always be honest with. She pushed me to be better and helped me do things that I didn't even know I could do. She was so open to ideas what the girls wanted from team shoes to warm shirts and so much more. It's hard for me to come back and play with a positive attitude and become a a leader to people who don't respect tough coaching. All I
019wanted for my senior season was stability and not to go through what I've already gone through with growing to respect a coach and then they are pushed out. I feel like this has become the norm for our girls basketball program. And it's sad. I was there for all the team talks, all the team meetings, all the practices, all the things that go on during the season. I never felt like our coach should be not our coach. She grew with us as any person should. No one is perfect. And as a leader, to see her grow in our relationship, exactly what I've been taught my whole life. Always be willing to grow and learn, no matter how old you are or what position you hold. Thank you. next person is Neil. Sorry. >> Okay. my daughter
020Mallerie at the end there. Uh, my name's Neil Lendis, 35003 Highway 26 CI. Uh, I just want to tell you that I'm really disappointed in the leadership we got at Pastor High School in the athletic department and and overall we got a girl that Adam kind of took everything that I wanted to say, you know, that did one thing after another with these girls and is she is she still young? And she she's got them both, but you know, she's got a strong heart. She wants to do the right things. Where was the leadership? If if if it's about dealing with with problems with management, why isn't anybody better trying to look at? I don't think I asked my daughter, I said, "You see anybody in the gym watching the practices, you know, saying, "Hey,
021what's what's going on in here? You know, are you doing your job correctly?" There's there's nothing. So, and when you get that list of things that she accomplished in in two short years, you know, you got to look at that and go, you know, u she's doing her job. If if if it's personality complex, you got to sit down and look at that. And you can't just cut everyone. So, uh I think Keith T is a is a great coach. Does she have some learning to do? Probably. Do we all? Yes. But you got to work things out and just just cut the learn not thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next person Tikki Silva. Uh first of all, I just want to thank everyone who is here today in support
022of me. Um I know not all of you are here to speak, but many of you have sent text messages, uh picked up the phone and called me or wrote letters on my behalf. Um and your presence here today is incredibly humbling. I can't thank you enough for your continued support of me. Also, I'm Te Silva, 841 Second Avenue Casite. I want to be clear that I'm not here today to beg for my job back. At the end of the day, a decision was made to remove me as the head girls basketball coach. And that decision was made by high school and district administration who, in their own words, have found me difficult to work with. More importantly, that decision was made without any consideration of how it would affect this program as a whole
023and with complete and total disregard of how it impacts kids kids in this very room. Two years ago, we set out on a mission to build a strong K through2 girls basketball program in Atoria. I won't recount everything this program has done because many of you have already done that today and it looks like you guys have um an outlined version of that. What I will say is that every decision I have ever made as the leader of this program was was made in an effort to give these young ladies the best experience possible. Every decision I've ever made on behalf of this program was made to emphasize the importance of our female athletes, to highlight their successes, to give them a voice, and to fight for the support of them at all costs. Well,
024that fight has cost me. And that fight has cost them. For the last few years, every single decision For the last two years, every single decision that I've made for the betterment of this program has been criticized and attacked by the people who are supposed to support me. from running the biggest and most successful fundraiser any of of any sports program at Atoria High School to begging for the girls basketball bus to be on time to away games to ordering team shoes to ease the burden for those families in our program who may not be able to afford shoes every year to providing pre and postgame meals at no additional expense to our families so that kids are fueled properly to organizing team dinners and outings to pleading for Rooter buses for the state tournament
025so that students can attend to funding over 200 shirts for that student section to fully funding and painting the high school gym. Every single one of those things was challenged and scrutinized by the people who were supposed to support me. So perhaps these people do find coach Silva difficult to work with. After all, they don't have to work with many female head coaches on the athletic side of things. Perhaps having a strong female head coach who challenges the status quo and strives to break that glass ceiling for both herself and her athletes is just more than they can withstand. The decision to remove me as the head girls basketball coach was made, and I quote, due to my inability to work collaboratively with the high school administration and staff. Did anyone happen to hear in
026that last sentence that this decision was made because it was in the best interest of kids? These girls, these families, and this community deserve better. Does the experience I have provided over the last two years not meet the standard? And if not, then what is the standard? I hope you all continue to search for answers to the mystery of why Coach Silva is no longer here. But more importantly, I hope that moving forward, regardless of whoever may end up leaving this program, that the people in charge start doing what is right by these kids because they are the ones suffering the con consequences of this short-sighted decision. Right. And that's the end of our Patreon comments. So, can I >> can I say something? >> Please do. >> Can you can you hear me? Okay.
027>> Yes. >> Okay. And I'm sorry I can't be there. Um but I've put a lot of time and effort into thinking about this and I want to share some things with the group partly because um this is a personnel issue that can't be discussed openly but just have a short statement to make sure that I was concise and to share everything that I wanted to and I ended with um discussion around um parents and students that I want to continue to have. So I want to thank everybody who spoke tonight who e who also with met with me or sent us emails. This has been a difficult decision in a difficult very very difficult situation. But because it is a personnel matter the board and I are legally unable to discuss it publicly and
028that's hard for us. As we move forward, I encourage you to con contact me directly with any questions or concerns as I am the one who deals with the personnel issues within the school district. I am more than willing to discuss what I can with parents or students or anybody for that matter. Um so, but I do really appreciate the feedback that I've received over the last three or four weeks and tonight. Um so, thank you for that. That means a lot to me and I'm sure it means a lot to the board. So that's all I have. >> With that, we will move on to item two on our regular board meeting, which is the consent agenda. >> This is an action item. to approve the consent agenda. >> All those in favor? >>
029Anybody opposed? Item three on our item, our reports start with administrator reports. Um, so at Lost Park Elementary, we have been visiting worked on the building. We, as in the custodians and the maintenance crew and everybody. Um, so I just want to give a big shout out to Kevin Miller and to Daniel Bermudas who've been there all summer. The floors look great. This the classrooms are coming together. We've had like six classroom moves, we believe, so it was a lot for them. Um, but they've done an amazing job and really great attitude. I really appreciate it. And then if you haven't seen already, our playground is looking amazing. I'm so excited. I walk by and there's there's eight swings up ready to go for the kids. And so big shout out to Billy Eddie, to
030Mike Tomlinson, to um Matt Waldman as well. So they've been out there working hard. Um and uh we it's going to be put to great use. So thank you. >> So much as stated we have been cleaning, polishing, stringing today out there with the extension the exteriority of the building to get all the complex off. So big thank you to my custodial staff and to Bill and his crew. Uh the work that's being is amazing. They care for the buildings, the facilities, and facilities. Um, at the middle school, we've been running summer school detail. But it has been so fun. The kids and the programs and they did um I don't fish, they did the prints. It's just been really cool. and then uh I'm going to let you finish up with the high school
031program. But I would say when I we started this together, how is that? >> It's been a while. >> Up until now, I think this is our most successful summer program for our transitioning eighth graders to high school. And I will tell you, we have to go through. So we continue to have the absor high school with historic middle school bridges program to get a front row start for that incoming freshman class. As principal prep just mentioned we had 31 students enrolled in that this year and all of them are on track to successfully completing their health class. And then there's also a new graduation requirement for college and career readiness. And so they are completing about nine of those 14 standards. They'll take another class their junior year that will take care of those
032remaining five standards. So, they're starting off their high school career very, very well. Since we last met as a board and a group, we have had additional graduates with the class of 2025. And so, we are now up to 161 completers. 158 of those are deemed to be graduates. That is a 94% graduation rate for those students in that course. believe it is the largest graduation class that we have had in numerous decades. So it has been quite successful completion of the class of 2025. And then finally we do begin fall sports this upcoming Monday on the 18th tomorrow night. We have prepared more orientation for cross country soccer volleyball football. So, we're excited for what that brings with our check-in orientations beginning for student registration processes to begin on Monday, August 25th. So, I
033just um this past week completed our second round of scheduled meetings. Um learned a lot last year as far as um aligning the middle school and high school with the actual schedule. That seems pretty obvious now, but didn't think about it last year. And also avoiding build into the stable lunches and it was and I've talked to most of the principles. They got a chance to look at it and I think it's going to be better than it was last year. Like I I think it's going to be smoother. we kind of understand the process a bit more and then try to push out the communication to um to parents once we kind of get it finalized. The next step in the process is to have teachers look at it, make small tweaks and then
034invite gen teachers ready to go for the entire year which is pretty exciting. Thought was steal for a minute. I was I just uh tomorrow's our last day of summer school. I just wanted to give a shout out to Venus and Candace and Liz who organized kind of an expanded summer school at the very last minute. The state, you know, gave us the summer learning grant in May. Gave us about two weeks to apply for us to get organized and they have done an amazing job. Um the summer learning grant allowed us to expand. Normally we had a hybrid summer school for maybe 50 or 60 students from here in Bington and this year we have about 120 just so we have a huge group of students and we had I brought her name here
035Rachel Gwyn. She's the assistant director of expanded learning. She came and visited on Tuesday visited the AMS program another she was very impressed. She said she was really hoping to see some more programs that weren't just, you know, really kill and drill his academic really bringing in the enrichment really Clark and his work with the printing and how he's getting the kids engaged with cooking and so I just think it's just been an amazing program and we're looking forward to she's taken a lot of information to the legislation and looking to get funding kind of a predictable funding over the next four years so we can be expanded just as kindergarten. One little highlight was we had Carrie Cron. She's our Northwest regional PSD early literacy organ RTI person that's been coming in with our
036literacy. She actually took some of her time over the summer and came and worked in our district this summer. Um, I don't know if you know who Anita Archer is, but she's a big girl and Carrie knows her very well. She works with her her little group of fifth graders. Um, she was telling Anita Archer about them and Nita made a video say to the students, naming them by name and talking about fluency and oh, that's so great. And then the students made a video of their improved fluency and sent it back to them. So, um I'm gonna get the videos and share program. >> Good evening. We're finishing up our summer feeding program. So far, we served over 4,500 meals this summer between the six sites. Um we finished up some summer projects. Thanks
037to maintenance for get some projects done. Um, and then we're just preparing for the upcoming school year that's coming really soon and the students return >> and transportation's just been running summer school program. I guess we're getting ready to start sports programs next week. So, and then just planning for the new year and our building is also nice and clean thanks to the maintenance and my Thomas for helping me out. actually apologize if we don't get all your stuff. So, next up we did the front zip line bridge and a wall climber that goes into the log structure. So, we're going to do one at the middle school now at some point. We're going to work on it. Um, Matt's been in the building while Mike and I have been out there. Now that we're
038done there, Mike's transitioning doing some other projects. We're in good shape. >> Thank you. Next item is item C, executive order number 259, small electronic devices. >> Yeah. So, um, let me just say something before we start this, before the administrators take off, but I'd like them to stay through this, and I don't I didn't I didn't look at the agenda, but before they take off, and I had it on my notes at the end, but I want to to the board thank the administrators for the last couple weeks. They've really really worked hard, and um, I joke they've taken a lot of orders from me s laying in bed. So, uh, they do well with that. Um, but I'm feeling we have an administrator meeting tomorrow for a couple hours then and online and
039one on the 20th. But I feel um that we're really prepared for the school year. I think today we confirmed up um some openings we have for classified, but I think all teaching positions are been filled as of earlier this week. So, I really appreciate the effort they put in. And I do feel good about the beginning of the school year as well as the week before when staff come back. I think it's going to be a good beginning of the school year. So, I appreciate everybody's help with that. So, as for the personal electronic device policy, um, so I'm going to go through some slides that the state defined this, but really what this comes down to is that the governor signed an executive order. I want to say at the end of June,
040I was um there's an the executive order is in the uh board packet. And really the difference for us is the main difference for us is is that her executive order states that cell phones will be put away from the beginning of the school day to the end of the day which is fine for three of the schools but is is not what we've done at the high school. So we've allowed kids to take them out at breaks or as well as lunches. And the main reason we did that was from a logistical standpoint, there's there's very difficult to be able to uh hold people accountable when you have four or 500 kids walking around with phones and you probably have four or five adults walking around at lunchtime. But this is an executive order
041now, so we have to put that in into place. I want to just quickly define some of the uh information in the executive order. So, if we can go to the next page and like I said, it was it was the start of regular school instructional hours to the end of the instructional end of the day of the instructional hours. So, that is from the beginning to the end, not out in between. School districts are required to adopt the policy no later than October 31st with full implementation no later than January 1st, 2026. the um OSBA I they were supposed to drop a policy at the beginning of this week. I haven't seen anything. I don't know if Marissa received something. Um I saw last week or the week before a glance of OSBA's policy
042that somebody put on a screen at a meeting, but I didn't get a chance to read it really well. So that's um and it's specific to electronic devices. So that'll be coming. One of the things we'll discuss tonight was is excuse me is like can they do they wait till October 31 excuse me do they wait till January 1st 2026 to implement from the beginning of the day to the end or do we um wait or do we do it now and that's a discussion that we need need to have tonight. The next slide um defines personal electronic devices um in the law it's making and receiving calls, text messages, uh accessing internet independently from school's network infrastructure. Um it's commonly called the cell phone which includes smartphones, flip phones, tablets, e-readers, smartwatches and so
043on. Um, so it's pretty much that to me, unless the administrators know something different, pretty much is how we defined it going into this last school year. Um, we must, next slide, we must at a minimum provide clarity on how devices will be stored during the school day. I think that was pretty clear last year. and provide direction to school personnel regarding actions that may be taken when a student violates requirements wherein allowed actions may not authorize or otherwise result in students losing instructional time include suspension or expulsion. So what they're saying is for the act of using your cell phone your your schools are not supposed to discipline kids for using their cell phones and take kids out of instructional times. It's a little bit I know other superintendents throughout the state are having
044a hard time not that they don't believe that but understanding how to do that. So uh next slide these are potential ex exceptions. I think we've talked about these potential exceptions. A medical provider's order for care treatment of medical conditions if a student's IEP or 504 or a written exemption provided to students based on guidelines adopted by the school district to allow administrators to accommodate individual circumstances. Um I don't know if we've received any of that that third bullet there, but we do for the other two. Next slide real quick. policy may exclude time when students are not on school grounds and are not under the supervision of school personnel other than a school bus driver. Clearly, we need to clearly communicate where and when the policy is enforceable, including during field trips, extracurricular events,
045or while traveling to and from school. And then, uh, policies must be posted on the school district website and made available to school district personnel, students, parents, and guardians. And I've already had that conversation with Marissa. once you do adopt the policy, which we don't have yet, on how we're going to disseminate that policy. Um, as well as use uh numerous avenues of communication when the policy is adopted. And I've had conversations with administrators through email and a little bit in person about um the district will provide the communication um in general terms, but specifics will come from the buildings and we have not started that yet based on this discussion. So key questions for tonight on the next slide um and I think Mr. Jackson can talk to some of these and and get
046board input is what are the current challenges related to the personal electronic devices in our schools based on the new law. How can we design a policy that is equitable, consistent, and realistic to implement? And like I said, um I don't have that policy, but there is the act of whatever the policy states and how does the policy align with other existing rules and state requirements and how we would communicate rules and expectations across all the schools. So um next steps, next slide. Sample policy should be available in August. We're waiting for it concern from OSBA concerning this executive order and what's the most cons uh effective process and timeline for the high school to modify its current cell phone plan to comply with the executive order and then any other pertinent information. >> Mr.
047Jackson, would you like to speak at all? >> I do not have any prepared remarks. This is going to be more of a stream of thought and some feedback that I've received timing wise. I met with other philopy principles today in which we were discussing a number of topics but two of the main topics that did come up. One was artificial intelligence and how to navigate that not only as a powerful tool in education but also something that can foster academic dishonesty and then personal electronic devices. There are a wide array of opinions with building level administrators in the state. One building administrator is almost to a point of defiance because of the concern that if they strictly adhere to executive order 259. There are private schools that do not have to adhere to that
048order and they are afraid of losing significant enrollment because of how that is rolled out. There are other administrators that I spoke to that are just concerned about how do I implement this logistically. Most administrators that I've spoken to are very much on board philosophically with securing cell phones, personal electronic devices during academic time. The biggest challenge that most have faced without additional funding coming in to purchase the equipment to effectively implement it or hire additional supervisory staff is typical during unstructured yet supervised time such as lunch for high school. The uh flex time that exists on Thursdays. So we are in the process of exploring how can we roll this out. Mr. office told me to pause this before we go too far without having the board give us feedback and making sure that
049you are informed of what our vision could be. I do want you to know that one of my initiatives this year to elevate student voice is to have the principal's executive council which will consist of 15 students, seven in ASB leadership and eight at large people in which we will meet once a month and we will pose questions and they will they know the answers and I'm going to listen to them and one of the key things that I'm going to talk about right out of the shoots is the cell phone policy. As such, I do not mean to get too far ahead in this discussion, but my initial proposal heading into this academic year is to maintain the academic cell phone use policy that we implemented last year at the high school. Implement and
050establish a policy, excuse me, not implement, but establish a policy by October 31st, and then implement it by the January 1st, 2026 deadline. Again, as a review, that policy for us was cell phones and all electronic devices, personal electronic devices were to be silenced and secured in all academic times. And there's a corresponding set of consequences when that is not adhered to. This asks for more, but there are other steps that we would have to implement to do so during lunch passing times during the select spam that we have. Talking about the equity, there is something that has come to my mind. Again, I want to I want to be very clear. I believe the curtailment of cell phone or personal electronic device use in our adolescence is a positive outcome with mental health as
051well as with academic engagement. I think that is true. However, in less structured times, I have pondered when we talk about our equity lens at Atoria High School, the campus is open for grades 10 through 12. So, all students who have the ability to get in a car, leave campus, engage elsewhere, they are going to be accessing their phones as they leave campus. For our students who do not have that financial opportunity, they will be on campus. I'm concerned also that many of our young adults that are 16, 17, 18 years old that work that have other obligations, whether that be family obligations with child care of younger siblings or with obligations of employment that that is not going to be accessible point. if we do implement it, maybe we'll have to have a an
052area which they can have those communications, those types of things to help them continue to meet those budding adult responsibilities that they have. So those are some pondering and using that I have. We are certainly open to your feedback, but my overall proposal is to wait to change the implementation of policy until January 1st, 2026 to give us the time to establish a policy and then prepare for communicate. >> So what questions do you have for me at this time? >> How to get >> So I'm just curious group of people There is the challenge is a bit different with the open campus which I recognize >> at the middle school um when children enter the phones are away. They have a locker that's secured. They have the combo. It's theirs. That's where they go.
053Backpacks are left to go. They don't travel with the exception of second period. If you're an eighth grader and you have a class downstairs, you're allowed to take your backpack and put it outside of Mr. Clark, Mr. Thompson's. So, otherwise, they're just stored in there. Um, it's a nonish. The the older kids, the seventh and eighth graders that were used to being able to access their phone had a little more adjustment. My sixth graders, it was it was it seemed to go very well. I don't want to, but um and we do have a phone. So there's a yellow pass that has a phone on it that if a student needs to use their phone or a phone because we have student the area that's identified as the attendance office because there is supervision. Um
054students can go and access that with teacher permission because much like Mr. Jackson um stated we do have some students that are picking up siblings that are getting you know jobs you know not so much but are you know I need you to grab your little brother or little sister and go to grandma's house today I got call it those kinds of things so we did create a zone where kids could go and use their phone um the first week or two was a little challenging for a couple kids I had two families that were very very angry about the policy But we were able to work through it together. Had some very um I don't know interesting conversation, but it it worked well and the relationship with those families grew stronger. Um, we do
055have some kids with the accommodations either in an IEP or a 504 plan or a medical plan and those students have respected the school rules around like they aren't using their phone for other purposes. So overall it really simplified all sorts of assets for this whole thing. I just like I feel like taking advantage of that incoming class that's already become accustomed to that and then like if I give them the freedom and then take it away again. I don't know like I >> Yeah, >> I don't know. >> The incoming eighth graders are accustomed to not having their phones. Um and and I've shared that with Mr. Jackson. I told them, "Oh, it's the same rules." But they they said, "No, it's same." Yeah. Oh, it's not my brother told. So, >> yeah. No,
056they're smart. >> Yeah, they're very smart. >> Very smart. >> So, and it's a different age group. >> Um, and >> yeah, there's there's a lot of factors that made this process a little simpler for me to implement at a 68 building. We have discussed the use of yonder pouches in the past. Um, Principal Roberts this morning said the number he gave me, I think he just threw it out there, but he said about 8% 8% of the younger couches are being utilized. But what it does is it really is a tangible tool that students know their phone is supposed to be outside. So the things that we have chewed on initially the bid to purchase younger pouches 612 would have been about $30,000. If the middle school has no need for those it would
057be $18,000 approximately. I have been reflecting on what if we purchased 50 of them for those who are repeat non-compers of this expectation. So there are many things and that's kind of my point. There are many things to flesh out as we move forward. I do dare you uh with that incoming freshman class which is going to be the class that can't leave in its entirety can't leave to continue to run with that progress that they have made with the middle school last year. So, >> it makes it makes me um kind of sad for the progress that we've made last year with just they kind of took ownership of it. >> I feel like so much of this like getting the pouches and like some of them were spending money. I don't know. Yeah,
058these kids were they had buy in already and so now we're like I don't know what's like being crammed out of them. So now we're talking about having you know possibly I could buy these things and is how do we still have that buy in? >> They talked about that a lot. OD in the forum that I participated in talked a lot about school culture buy in of that. The message that I sent to staff this this week with regards to what happened last year is I tweaked the classic phrase we took four steps forward and then at the end of the year we kind of took a step back but nevertheless we were still three steps forward with regards to academic structured time and the use of cell phones. So I don't want to
059make this sound like we were not successful last year. We experienced a lot of success. We still need to refine it. But now we have an executive order where not only redefinement but also compliance is an element. >> One of the things that we did that um very successful with students we said the vendors um this the change at the middle school really did create opportunity to do uh a lot of partnering with some families. Uh we had at the end of the school year nine students that and this we had to go through a process. There's a written process of like the morning, maybe they get up at the end of the day, the parent contact, the parent pickup, where students turn their phone into the office to be secure. Um, of those nine
060kids, four self- selected. They knew it was too hard, that they would mess with it. Can I just give it to you? The other five, that was a come to agreement with the parents who were getting really tired. Uh but it does it it gives you different opportunities to grow and work with some of our families >> and challenges. So maybe that's something to look at like helping them have options within the the rule like learning choices I guess you can inventing. And I don't know, I mean, I'm not sure if developmentally it would be appropriate, but it's something we could obviously tweak because one of the things that we have is a phone problem solving sheet of with repeat offenders. I mean, there's, you know, it's it's a progression of problem solving to try
061to tease out why. So, the kids are ding it and then that really helps steer the conversation when we are conferencing with our parents. And again, we're talking about a handful of kids. This was not great period of time or resource or a few here and there. So, >> so having a space to use your cell phone is that comply with the executive. >> Can we continue to have a cell phone? My understanding is you can if it's under if it's written into the procedures and you have to have adult permission. Now I will tell you most of the kids that came down to the attendance office to contact home used to >> Mr. >> the presentation that um Mr. Madson brought to the board does something like that happen for students or parents? >>
062Yes. Okay, that >> we had that presentation I believe Tuesday of the it was either orientation week or the Tuesday of the return of student. I can't remember it was either the last week of August or first week of September last year. >> We did it a couple times because we did it virtually and we did do it again in person and then at open house orientation we also offered the additional information. Are you planning on like presenting to the student body about the new executive order and um asking for their feedback through your committee or Yeah. Okay. >> That'll be true. Mr. Matson is presently adapting that slide deck, right? Updating that slide deck. That will be rolled out. I'm not sure exactly how we're going to do that. I believe the best venue.
063My preliminary thought is through our advisories, smaller group conversations rather than me standing in front of 600 students. So that coupled with getting student feedback, I'm really excited about that executive committee concept because and it's not just with cell phones. They've got all sorts of ideas on how to solve things and they also have a problems they want to have fixed that I may not be aware of >> because that can create that buyin that you're talking about Jenna like if they have some feel like they have some say in it. >> I have a question. >> Yes sir. >> Miss for the elementary school. I know right now uh gizmo watch type things are very very popular. Just curious how you guys force that. Now I'm curious what's right now a lot of parents
064are concerned you know they like to keep track of where their kid is and be able to get a hold of them. I know the gizmo is super important to a lot of those parents. So curious if you seems like a lot of kids uh especially in your building probably haven't asked you as well but those seem to be very popular. Yeah, we had a few incidences with watches last year and um I spoke with parents. We we asked the students to put them in apps not to access just like the phone and if that didn't work, which it did. We didn't have it. What my next step would be is to have it stay in the office. >> If there was not problems, they were able to stay on their wrists or if they
065needed to be infected. No, they did not stay on purpose. >> Okay. So, push back. >> Um, not much. I The incences there was one incident um in particular where the student um communicated with the parent. We I didn't know the kid had the watch on, but the parent called the office to say, "Hey, my child just called me and said I'm like, "Oh, really?" So, so that's kind of where that went. Um, but overall, uh, that was that's part of our like letter home. It's like watch smart watches part of personal devices that are not allowed and they need to be in backpacks. They need to be not seen during >> Thank you. >> Yeah, >> Mr. Hoff, were there other things that you wish for us to address that we have not? >>
066Muted. Muted. Can't hear you, sir. >> No. Um, I was intrigued by the question. I think I can't I think Heidi may have asked it around like the middle school has that um practice where the kid goes to the attendance office and makes a phone call and so I was looking at the Q&A and I it's the Q&A is pretty vague so I'll have to look into that further on what that actually means. So >> I don't think it impacts teachers really evolve because we already have that expectation that phones are silenced and secured during all academic time. It would impact the administration and some classified staff who are providing supervision during semistructured times. It's a there's probably there's six of us at any given lunch period that are moving about campus and there's probably
067250 to 300 students on campus at that time. So that supervisory challenge could be substantial. And the other difference that Lynn faces is the middle school students are the cafeteria and you can work the gym or whereas my understanding is your campus is open >> they can be in the hallway they can be in the courtyard they could be in the commons eating. So as developmentally appropriate in my opinion, we afford them that freedom to >> there there's some issues that have to be sort of figured out. There's more and more and we start to do it now and I'm sure like hospitals and other school districts do it that the two-party authentification for passwords and that's going to be falling on students more and more and but they don't have their cell phones so
068what can they do? So there's more to this that we need to figure out that I um but we will I think there is some freedom I think and I'll double check but I think there is some freedom and I'll go back to the example like the middle school to use your cell phone in the attendance office. I think there is some freedom around doing that but my goal is to have the policy a draft of the policy by next month. As soon as OSBA sends it, I'll bring it to the board for discussion again. >> All right, we will move on to the next item on the agenda. Item 3D English language learners in Oregon annual report. Okay, so this is um annual report and so the next slide explains why um it's part
069of um Oregon statute that OD has to report annually on the progress of English language nursing the state and title three federal programs requires that we present to the school for each um the purpose is really just to describe the population of English learners in Oregon and just give you a summary of some of the progress that they're making in the ELT programs and this is statewide is not specific to Astro School District. Um the next slide, the full report is attached to your board report, but this is just kind of hits the highlights of the report. Um so we're looking at nearly 102,000 students in Oregon that are ever English learners. Um about 18.8%. Ever English learners just means at some point they were English learners. They may be current English learners. Um, right
070now we're at like 62,000. They're some of them are former English learners, which means they were English learners, but now they're proficient. The state's looking at about 23,000. And then we have what are called monitored eelss, and that means they've exited the English language program, but they're just being monitored. We monitor for four years just to make sure they're still making good progress, and then they become former ELS. So all of those together make what we call ever English learners. Um we do have a large percentage of recent arrivals in Oregon. Um recent arrivals are any students that have been in the US for less than three years. We've seen an increase of 37% in the last year in Oregon. And we have seen a large percentage of increase in recent arrivals in Aster as
071well. Typically they're school high school level students. um they are mostly Spanish speaking, 78% um Spanish speaking, but there are in Oregon 247 unique home languages that are spoken. Um we do see statewide of English learners are over represented in special education and under represented in TAG programs. Um, and there's just some statistics there around 18% of current English learners are identified for special education compared to only 16 and a half% of what are called never ELS, meaning they have never been English learners. Um, even though they're a smaller percentage of students, they're larger percentage of special education. That has been decreasing though. If you look at the numbers, um, it's gone down from 19% last year to 21% the year before. So we are, I think, getting better at identifying students so that we're
072not overidentifying those students. We do in Oregon only have 5% of current ELS that are being tagged. So that's definitely an area that we need to improve on. Um, we do see young learners are more likely to be on track. So we take the ELA every year. Are they on track to English proficiency? Typically, younger students are more likely to be on track if, you know, starting in kindergarten, they're learning the language earlier. you get those newcomers in later, it's it's taking them longer to be proficient. So, that's kind of what that number represents. Um, next slide. So, we do see that current ELELS, that's students who are currently in English language development programs, they're meeting state standards and ELA math at substantially lower rates. Um we did see in the state former EELS um
073they outperformed memory in English language arts and math in grades three through five. So that is you know promising that the they're learning the language they're becoming proficient and then they are becoming proficient in ELA and math. Um and we did see um um gains for former EELS um seem to oh they seem to decrease over time which the state says highlights the need for sustained supports. So, they're becoming proficient in English language, but then they're starting to decline over time. So, I did kind of highlight in the box the attendance rates because I know that's a priority for the board. Um, states sees attendance rates are higher for former and modern ELELS, but lower for current ELELS, particularly at the high school level. So, that's a focus area would be attendance with current students
074in English language programs. Um, next slide. So just a few promising key findings that were in the report. Um statewide former English learners enrolled in AP or IB courses are inner national courses. We don't have those here in Etoria, right? Statewide um enrolling in those courses at highest the highest rate 22% compared to never ELS enrolling 8%. So to me that's a promising um finding and then the majority of students that are earning the Oregon state sealed by literacy were ever eelss um 62%. And here in SR we did have the highest number of students I've seen get the Oregon state by literacy was at 12 12 this year. >> That was our pioneer year. So but it exceeded what we had expected. >> Yeah. And then um the state is saying that former English
075learners are graduating at slightly higher rates than never eels um 87% compared to 82%. So we are seeing some good promising things happening around the state. And the last slide just if you have any questions there is more detailed report if you're curious more explanation but you have any questions. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Move on to item E, the finance report. >> Uh, first thing I wanted to talk about was the finance committee for this next year. Um, wanted to get a couple of members secured for this next year. Um, I had a recommendation, but it's really up to you guys. I thought maybe beneficial for Tyler and then I know I didn't know but we do have other >> it's been a while for me so I I could do it. >> Maybe
076I will get back with you about September. Um the finance report is the last one that you'll see for June 30th, 2025 until the audit spin. Um it's very preliminary. So we're still receiving information and I still have journal entries to do and then that auditors will need to go through next month will be the first one for 2526. Um, and grants still this year are all over the place in whether we're getting them, not getting them, they're twice as much or less. So, I'm hoping that next month I'll have a much more definite from where our agreements end up. I did hear that they are working on high school success and SIA. Um they just started working on it and we're promised by the end of this month we'll have those numbers. Um and
077we've got word that we are receiving our title funds all of them including to this next year. Are there any questions? Okay. Item two. So we move on to item five. Moving on to item 15 business a resolution 2025601 expressing the contin for the 10point job for center. >> Yeah. So just a couple things. Um the collaboration on this has been great. Our executive order um that we have is the same executive order. Excuse me, not executive stuck on executive orders. Our resolution um the same resolution exact same wording is being has been put up in front of numerous boards including including the city, the county, the chamber. um we sort of come together and had a couple meetings to say what can we do to support uh Tongue Point. I will also share with
078you on August 7th, I re I had a conversation with uh MColdendrick who's the center director at Tonguepoint and he based on that conversation sent us an email and um just a quick tidbit, his wife's a kindergarten teacher in our district. Um but you know, they've been um sort of under the gun and for about two months. I asked him for an update as to where they're at and he provided that update in an email. I think I forwarded that to the district. But, um, they have lost kids because they didn't think they were going to be open. They've lost staff. Um, but they're starting to build back up. Um, I think there's some their next worry timeline is in June of the fall, June of 2026 when their budget has to be reapproved by
079Congress or however that works. So, um, but I can tell you that MAC as well as Resa Tonguepoint staff really appreciate all the support they've received within our community. And along with this letter that's in front of the resolution, um, we all as community partners create a list of who we're going to send this resolution to. And it includes um, state politicians, uh, federal politicians. Um, I haven't looked at the list in the last week, but we had a shared document going around, but it's probably 12 to 15 different individual offices within the federal or state government. So, >> this is an action item. Oh, there >> I got to read it. >> We got to read it first. Go ahead. Resolution 25260001, a resolution expressing continued support for the Tonguepoint Job Score Center and
080recognizing its vital role in workforce development and community impact. Whereas the Tonguepoint Job Course Center located in Atoria, Clatup County, Oregon, has served as a critical institution for workforce training and youth development since 1964. And whereas the center provides free education and career technical training to young people ages 16 through 24, equipping them with the skills necessary to succeed in a variety of industries, including maritime trades, welding, automotive, construction, and healthcare. And whereas the Tpoint Job Core Center not only enhances the lives of its students, but also contributes to the economic vitality of the Atoria area by providing employment, generating over 16 million dollars in economic impact, supporting local businesses, and partnering with community organizations. And whereas the city of Etoria recognizes the importance of the JobCore program in offering life-changing opportunities to underserved and
081economically disadvantaged youth across diverse communities. And whereas continued federal investment in job core programs, including the Timepoint JobCore Center, is essential to maintaining expanding these services, especially in rural and coastal communities. And whereas the loss of this institution would disproportionately impact at risk youth, local employers who rely on skilled graduates and the broader community that benefits from it services. Now, therefore, the Atoria School District Board of Directors does hereby result section one. The Atoria School Board hereby expresses its strong support for the Tonguepoint Job Course Center and affirms the cent's contributions to the community work force development and youth empowerment. Section two, the Atoria School Board urges state and federal leaders to continue and expand support for the JobCore program and to recognize the Tonguepoint JobCore Center as a vital component of our region's education
082and economic infrastructure. Section three, a copy of this resolution shall be transmitted transmitted to the offices of Oregon's congressional delegation and the US Department of Labor. Section four, effective date. The provisions of this resolution should be effective August 13, 2020. >> All right. And this is an action item. I move to approve resolution 2025 expressing continued support for the Tongue Point Job Center. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? Anybody post? Okay. Item B is intergovernmental agreement between school district and the city of Atoria. >> Yeah. So for the past so the for the past year or so we've been working closely with >> Greg, >> can I say something real quick? >> Yeah. Go ahead. I'm sorry, Tyler. >> Yep. On the intergovernmental agreement. and I believe that there's a potential conflict of
083interest uh because I'm a member of the leadership team with the parks department. Uh so I'll be recusing myself and I will uh step outside while you guys deliberate and vote. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay, you're good. Okay. Thank you. Um, you know, we've always had an agreement. We've always had a working relationship and agreement between the city and the um the district on use of fields and gyms ever since I way before I even started here. In fact, it goes back previous to uh Willis Van Dusen mayorship. Um, and um well, we're what we're finding is is there's more and more needs for the use of our facilities. So, we've gotten together a couple times over the last year and really put some things down on paper so we have a good
084understanding of of the different uh facilities whether it's indoor or outdoors and what entities need to be able to run those and make them effective. U so I know I Jo Jonah who's head of parks and Rex is in the office or excuse me is in the meeting tonight if anybody has any questions for Jonah. Um Jonah, can you can I just ask where is the city with this um with this intergovernment agreement? Has the city council approved it yet? >> Uh no. So I'm Jon. I'm the works integration director for the city of Atoria. Um our intent is to have this go before you as a school board and consider this item, hopefully approve it, and then it would go to our city council this coming Monday evening, their regular meeting. That's all I
085have. It's just that's just a >> All right. This is an action item. I'll move to approve the intergovernmental agreement between Atoria School District and the city of Atoria. >> I'll second. All those in favor? >> I All right. >> Thank you, >> Tyler. Any questions on those? All right, we will move on to item seven. Comments for the good of the order. >> All right. All right. >> Yeah. Just a couple things. I know it's been a little bit longer of a meeting. Um, I know Stephanie mentioned it, but been really impressed with summer school. Um, I was able to spend quite a bit of time there for the first couple weeks and probably over 120 kids and um, it was fun to watch them. There's a lot of learning going on, but there's
086a lot of hands-on engagement stuff going on. So, that was great. Um, I did have the opportunity to thank the administrators before they left. And the last thing is is that I I read a statement, but I do appreciate the people came to the mean and spoke tonight and um like I said, I take that to heart and um I said it was very difficult and I didn't expect it to get to the board level and I'm dealing with some things associated with that. So, thank you. That's all I have. And um I would also say um great job to Marissa for her first real meeting. The July one is a meeting but not real meeting. So good job tonight. >> All righty. >> I don't know. We'll move on to the board down. Um,
087yeah, I I should have taken just a moment earlier to thank the students for there's always hindsight signs. you know, we can't legally talk about personnel matters, but sometimes I think it's just important to acknowledge the students and it's takes a lot of bravery just to come and speak in front of the public setting like that and and to us. So, um I don't know if there's a way you can reach out to them and just thank them for coming and sharing, you know, being able to. Anyway, that was just uh otherwise I mean I just feel like the time is flying by. Unprepared for school to start again personally. It just seems like the summer's gone by so fast. And um but I've enjoyed the conversations with the homeschool families and groups that I've
088had and um I don't know just gaining more understanding. That's all I have. I just want to say this summer has been a really big show of our district and the community. It was awesome to show the fair and see all the students today. Um as well as at Scandinavian festival student athletes were helping with parking which was really awesome. Great showing at the regata parade softball team dance program was very cool to watch. Uh, also I believe it was the football team, but uh, Coach Rub was doing a lot of it. Uh, Mr. England's funeral. Uh, they helped with all the park there, which was which was great. He's a, you know, obviously monumental figure in our community. Um, and then the last thing I want to say was my relationship to everybody today.
089Public comments. There were some things thrown out there. Um, and I just want to say that I I've known school administration for a very long time as a student and as a professional and I do believe that they are always thinking about best for students when they make the decisions and I appreciate all their hard work uh dealing with this difficult situation. So, especially Craig, thank you for working through that. >> Eddie, I don't have anything tonight. Grace, >> I also appreciated all the um comments and echo what you said, Jenna, the bravery of the students. I I appreciate them um taking time to really write down their thoughts and then come to board meetings. I know that that's intimidating. Um they're very well spoken and um passionate and I appreciate that. Um and it
090is a tough situation. Um, and yeah, that's really well I would just echo everything everybody else said. I agree. Um, a lot for the families, though. They're passionate. They care and just want to be heard. So, thanks to them and thanks to our maintenance for keeping the schools running and ready to rock and roll. Summer has blown by. Um I yeah I my son went to summer school too as a high schooler and I will say Miss Cole is she's pretty awesome you know just want to shout out to her. So anyways always keeping me in the loop of things. So anyways uh that's pretty much it. Um, with that, uh, future meetings, we have Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 at 5:45 for our board study session here in the boardroom. And then, uh, same day
091at 7 o'clock for a regular board meeting. >> Make a motion to adjurnn tonight. >> Make I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll take second. Thank you.