[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6639895,"mediaKeyId","2556574-cb26b8d72b97fcdaa242f052e94d8bc6","parentId",2556574,"title","Salem‑Keizer board approves superintendent evaluation, extends superintendent contract and backs two local ballot statements","audioSeconds",62,"startMs",8451000,"endMs",8513000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556574-cb26b8d72b97fcdaa242f052e94d8bc6&start=8451&end=8513","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556574-cb26b8d72b97fcdaa242f052e94d8bc6/thumbnail_8451000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6639895/Oregon/SalemKeizer-board-approves-superintendent-evaluation-extends-superintendent-contract-and-backs-two-local-ballot-statements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639895-dd7a65e613a5d9c32deb38cec41ea09f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770516800&Signature=iacInyzN-Y6HPsVg5IZJWlhQT1sKW6pw-w1VuXNlR0sZEsYHh3oPEiwJOhrr7bc-JYJ8Bz8gtJ6Ow04jnOVvIG6XUN0wjnT~EN76DQ48-x~DQQBCFnL6~E5PczdiYJ6bvKwaDyD4WyJ9ulmXXW9suVoGgKReDpPCywolgXejBaaftcllqK96paRT3zfPUGmATmusy641yMwx6m0U-OkSzNU27k3QDHYxZTokZizQtxaGDbhOODFM7BjbH8g7dSx3o9FL5sRv9pLv3RJaOCYjvjZL7-4l6rNwAKnTeBnUoG6ca6UIF26yJZAuBVXpOG6m41X9F0K8AjlPBsEpvMPhQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Salem-Keizer School Districts","date","2025-03-12T04:23:50.897Z","article","The Salem‑Keizer School District Board of Directors on March 11 approved the superintendent’s 2024–25 evaluation, moved to negotiate a contract extension for Superintendent Andrea Castaneda, and authorized measure arguments for two local ballot measures. The board also approved the consent calendar.

Superintendent evaluation: The board presented the 2024–25 evaluation for Superintendent Castaneda, which the meeting materials said covered performance from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. The evaluation, prepared in accordance with district policy and the superintendent’s contract, assessed three areas: academic achievement results, executive limitations and OSBA leadership standards. A board motion to approve the evaluation was made by Director Preci and seconded by Director Cottingham; the board approved the evaluation (the chair announced the vote as unanimous).

Contract extension: The board then considered the superintendent’s contract. The superintendent’s current contract runs July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026 and, under the contract, the board must act on renewal or extension by March 15, 2025. The board moved to authorize the chair to enter negotiations for a new three‑year contract beginning July 2025; the motion was made by Director Sandagiri and seconded by Director Harnish. The board approved the motion with one recorded opposition.

Measure statements: The board voted to place brief statements in the voters’ pamphlet supporting two local ballot questions. First, the board approved a statement in favor of a City of Salem five‑year operating levy that, if passed by voters on May 20, would cost property owners 98¢ per $1,000 of assessed value and fund parks, recreation, libraries and senior services. That motion was moved by Director Cunningham and seconded by Director Harnish; the motion passed with two oppositions recorded.

Second, the board approved a statement in favor of Chemeketa Community College’s measure to maintain the existing tax rate of 27¢ per $1,000 of assessed value, a measure the meeting materials said would fund CTE expansion, a trades center and facility improvements; Director Sandagiri moved and Director Artis seconded the motion, which passed with one opposition recorded.

Consent calendar: The board approved the consent calendar on a motion by Director Pressey and a second by Director Harnish; the chair announced the vote as unanimous.

Board members who spoke during the votes praised the superintendent’s leadership and the district’s progress while some members expressed concern about asking voters for new levies during financially difficult times for some residents. A board counsel clarification about minutes and vote recording was given after the contract vote.

No additional budget or contract details were adopted on the floor; the contract extension motion delegated authority to the board chair to negotiate terms and return with a contract for ratification.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Salem-Keizer School Board Meeting - March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved the 2024–25 superintendent evaluation, voted to begin negotiations for a three‑year contract extension, and authorized measure arguments in favor of a City of Salem operating levy and a Chemeketa Community College bond measure; the consent calendar was also approved.","taxTitle","Salem-Keizer SD 24J, School Districts, Oregon","taxId",14581,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6639900,"Community speakers urge Salem‑Keizer to divest Student Investment Account funds from Yonder pouches, citing immigrant student safety",493,3336000,3829000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556574-cb26b8d72b97fcdaa242f052e94d8bc6&start=3336&end=3829","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556574-cb26b8d72b97fcdaa242f052e94d8bc6/thumbnail_3336000.jpg","/articles/6639900/Oregon/Community-speakers-urge-SalemKeizer-to-divest-Student-Investment-Account-funds-from-Yonder-pouches-citing-immigrant-student-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639900-a6a5e42d9f3e093b5003b98918a9ec42/orig.mp4?Expires=1770516800&Signature=VyUb5gDgsC6xssGho0ryL6o~nnjZ8d~YKqY1~YjhAUpg5IbggraNxPu2K0JpCfZnAYJ06rvKueSD~YEz~eQP0HmUkktoul94fawJJAVdSHwL5Pt2oCYAEDaAf2pO06CLiJaWhVjHWGaUcVBALJiS4vve2oqaUn2uNItJF-SKEZUrrCOVNwB58M1DaADvIsZUUC4PQ7hqoT~kGnFF5ZB-hC7MZCp-760esHqq16wnhb6~T~1My4ngx6NeqihUjl8cbjKGx1NMgq-TE1p4lv1GuDlI~3Vg0MALsY4tcjxTEjiTeruO9W25~S~Z6LhI8sgO4~Zovay-2qta-He7GRxT0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several community members and advocacy groups used the public‑comment period at the March 11 board meeting to urge Salem‑Keizer School District to stop using Yonder phone pouches in schools and to reallocate Student Investment Account (SIA) funds to counseling and other student supports.

Maria Young, introduced as a community member, said the pouch program — which she described as costing “$213,000 up to a million” — increases “toxic stress” for immigrant students and cuts off students’ ability to communicate with families or community resources during the school day. \"SIA is meant to promote equity and better access to education,\" Young said, and she asked the board to “divest funds from Yonder pouches and reinvest in resources that promote the well‑being of immigrant students.”

Julian Meza, speaking on behalf of a coalition of Latino community and faith leaders, said the district had invested “nearly $1,000,000” from SIA in the Yonder pouch program and argued the policy creates social and emotional risk for students who may need to contact family or community organizations while at school. Meza said the pouches impede students from reporting immigration‑related incidents to trusted organizations and described the pouches as promoting “punitive education” and daily security procedures that can include searches or removal of personal property.

Other commenters raised similar concerns. Felix May called the pouches an “overly simplistic and ineffective solution” that can worsen mental health for students who rely on communication to stay safe. A speaker identifying as Leo demanded removal of the pouches and referenced broader calls for increased counseling and smaller class sizes.

Speakers not only objected to the pouches but also asked that the district invest more in counselors, therapists and other mental‑health resources. Several commenters said there is little conclusive evidence that cell‑phone pouches improve academic outcomes, and they described potential harms — especially for immigrant students — if communication with family or community organizations is restricted during the school day.

Board chair announced a ten‑minute break at the conclusion of public comment; the board did not take formal action on the pouches during the meeting.","Multiple public commenters told the board the district’s use of Yonder phone pouches — funded from the Student Investment Account — harms immigrant students, and asked the board to redirect funds toward counselors and mental‑health supports.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6639904,"Salem-Keizer reports 79.4% four-year graduation rate for 2024; district outlines supports to raise outcomes",541,1697000,2238000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556574-cb26b8d72b97fcdaa242f052e94d8bc6&start=1697&end=2238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556574-cb26b8d72b97fcdaa242f052e94d8bc6/thumbnail_1697000.jpg","/articles/6639904/Oregon/Salem-Keizer-reports-794-four-year-graduation-rate-for-2024-district-outlines-supports-to-raise-outcomes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639904-a77b95145166729091d9d85ffb9fc728/orig.mp4?Expires=1770516800&Signature=AeqisGnoEoQisahY-RxGp4MXqcFhknSI~kk2pxMHoyG~2cL1Mkp8FKlsIUAAvWSY8On5EAxoXi3qKnPSiiKwYNTZ9HkZQ9aSgMlsyk8vvM6qt4H5gDQi1ZHkM9WMnvNmiqZlMhXygc2jR~Lc9EgYSXaTZ9OQGGzidbXybtWBjV-0HVD6i~9zKHUxi0FVhhyxjXw-~i4z6wrY1-A-bfk4xO9aU3Ote3i2QJ9N~di8k8Ho-LXd6pPY0zHncjx8afw-9B4fcohOxMrtr4NtO-hnm1aW-LUjbX1RGU9CJW3MdjdjmZRAEHvHcc5f7JMQm8HZGLO6Dk-Kpaw3lofLajRx3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Superintendent Naves and Larry Ramirez, the district’s director of high schools, reported to the Salem‑Keizer School District Board of Directors that the district’s four‑year graduation rate for the class of 2024 was 79.4%, below the district goal of 81.3%.

Naves told the board the district saw a 0.3 percentage‑point increase from 2023 and stressed that the trend is upward but still short of the board’s target for 2024. Ramirez highlighted school‑level gains, notably a 5.65 percentage‑point increase at South Salem High School and a 4.63 point increase at North Salem; five of six comprehensive high schools are above the state average, Ramirez said.

Naves and Ramirez outlined the district strategies they credited with recent growth and that are intended to close remaining gaps: strengthened ninth‑grade teams that monitor student data, efforts to prioritize smaller ninth‑grade class sizes, expanded after‑school and Saturday supports, credit‑recovery courses during the school year and over the summer, and targeted “senior blitz” mentoring and wraparound services for seniors at risk of not graduating on time. Ramirez also pointed to career and technical education (CTE) programs, which the presentation noted graduate at rates above both district and state averages.

Board members asked for ways families and community members can help. Ramirez urged families to contact schools and attend parent‑teacher conferences to learn a student’s on‑track status. Board members emphasized community volunteer possibilities — such as tutoring, Saturday school support or mentoring — and noted that volunteers must complete district volunteer processes.

Ramirez provided sample school practices tied to improvement at South Salem, including team teaching where an English‑learner (EL) teacher co‑teaches with content teachers to provide language scaffolds, a dedicated EL support person who monitors progress at each grade level, and interventions that led to a reported 13 percentage‑point increase in ELL student graduations at that school.

The presentation concluded with a district emphasis on relationships: assigning mentors beyond the senior year to earlier grade levels so each student has an adult “person” tracking progress toward graduation.","Deputy Superintendent Naves and Director of High Schools Larry Ramirez told the board the district’s 2024 four‑year graduation rate was 79.4%, short of the 81.3% goal; staff highlighted targeted ninth‑grade supports, credit recovery and mentoring as strategies to increase on‑time graduation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Salem‑Keizer board approves superintendent evaluation, extends superintendent contract and backs two local ballot statements

Community speakers urge Salem‑Keizer to divest Student Investment Account funds from Yonder pouches, citing immigrant student safety

Salem-Keizer reports 79.4% four-year graduation rate for 2024; district outlines supports to raise outcomes