McKenzie School Board Welcomes Student Rep, Reviews Funding and Programs

FINN ROCK: The McKenzie School Board welcomed Grace Weiss, the newly sworn-in student representative, at their September meeting 17 meeting.

During public comment, Tabitha Eck, director of the McKenzie Community Land Trust gave an update on the Rose Street neighborhood in Blue River. The land trust is developing affordable homes for local workers and fire survivors. While the homes are restricted to households earning up to 80% of the area median income, she emphasized applicants should not rule themselves out, noting that down-payment assistance and below-market mortgage programs are available.

In her report on the Integrated Guidance Annual Report, Lacy Joy said $64,884 had been spent on high school success programs and $290,121 in SIAA funding. The funds cover staff salaries, CTE teachers, Chromebooks, after-school programs, and student mental health co-pays. Much of the funding comes from fire recovery dollars that will decline in future years.

Details included three goals: reducing chronic absenteeism, increasing the relevance of coursework, and expanding mental health access. McKenzie Schools was cited as a statewide model for providing free on-site and telehealth counseling. The district has also rolled out trauma-informed training and an anti-bullying program. Joy also raised concerns about sustaining programs as recovery funds diminish.

Marical Teague updated the board on the Upper River Online program, the district’s K–12 virtual learning option. Currently, six students are enrolled full-time, four are in a hybrid format, and 186 attend the traditional school. The online program, Teague said, offers flexible, personalized learning plans for elementary students and a standardized, accountable curriculum for high schoolers. Weekly progress reports are shared with families and teachers.

Weiss reported that student leadership classes are preparing for homecoming on October 10. Other highlights include tech ambassadors teaching elementary students, a Source of the Train leadership program, and a college tour to Oregon State University. The Associated Student Body, she said, is also working on a “history zone” project to boost morale with music during morning announcements.

In his principal’s report, Lane Tomkins noted that students and staff “have settled into routines,” with new practice periods in middle and high school. Elementary teachers, he said, received training on reading instruction, and leadership teams are focused on intervention strategies.

The board discussed a cell phone policy aligned with the governor’s executive order limiting personal device use during class time. Students will be allowed to carry phones but not use them during school hours, with exceptions on bus rides. A vote on adopting new health curriculum was postponed until the October meeting.

The next board meeting is scheduled for October 15 at 5:30 p.m.