Summer Work Is Underway
While students have begun their well earned summer break, the work of supporting McKenzie schools continues. One of the goals of these summer columns is to give our community a behind-the-scenes look at the many projects and planning efforts that occur between the last day of one school year and the first day of the next.
Although our hallways may be quieter, campus is anything but idle.
Our custodial and maintenance teams have already launched into their summer work schedule. Deep cleaning is underway throughout the elementary building, with classrooms being cleaned from top to bottom in preparation for the 2026-2027 school year. Floors are being stripped, polished, and refinished, classrooms are being reset, and facilities are receiving the attention that is difficult to provide when students are present each day.
Several maintenance projects are also underway this summer. Repairs are being completed to address water-damaged flooring in the kitchen and portions of the high school building. Plans are being finalized for refinishing several hardwood floors, including classroom spaces, the high school office area, hallways, and the cafeteria. Lead water testing is occurring throughout district facilities, and work is planned to rebuild or replace a boiler fuel pump motor before the start of school. Maintenance staff will also be completing gutter cleaning and removing several trees that have been identified as potential hazards near district buildings.
Beyond maintenance and custodial work, we are also thinking long term. Earlier this month, the District Facilities Committee held its first meeting and officially launched the Long Range Facilities Planning process. This effort will help guide future decisions regarding facility improvements, educational programming needs, enrollment trends, and capital investments. The goal is to ensure our facilities continue supporting both student learning and community use for years to come.
We also received exciting news regarding future facility improvements. The district was awarded a $2.4 million Seismic Rehabilitation Grant to support seismic upgrades to the Elementary Building’s Intermediate Wing. This award represents a significant investment in student safety and the long-term viability of our facilities. District staff are currently working with project partners and Lane County to coordinate this work alongside other planned capital improvement projects.
Summer is also a time for planning. Staff are actively engaged in enrollment outreach, curriculum planning, budget implementation, professional learning, staffing preparations, and organizing classrooms and instructional programs for the coming year. The work of preparing for a successful school year begins long before students arrive on the first day of class.
As we look ahead, one of the most significant changes for families will be the start of the 2026-2027 school year before Labor Day. This adjustment will provide a more balanced calendar and position us for a strong instructional year. Families are encouraged to review the district calendar and begin planning for the fall.
The accomplishments of the 2025-2026 school year including the 100% on time graduation rate of the Class of 2026, successful athletic seasons that saw student-athletes compete, improve and qualify for State, as well as another year of strong student achievement, are worth celebrating. Yet even as we reflect on those successes, we are already hard at work preparing for what comes next.
Thank you for your continued support of McKenzie schools. Throughout the summer, I will continue sharing updates on district projects, facility improvements, planning efforts, and preparations for the upcoming school year. We look forward to keeping you informed as we work together to prepare for another successful year serving the students and families of the McKenzie Valley.