[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",5973078,"mediaKeyId","5834436-9267b9dcd4d874fa7802c397e430bc09","parentId",5834436,"title","District says tip led to discovery of two unloaded firearms; officials praise anonymous reporting and review security measures","audioSeconds",1316,"startMs",1476000,"endMs",2792000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834436-9267b9dcd4d874fa7802c397e430bc09&start=1476&end=2792","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834436-9267b9dcd4d874fa7802c397e430bc09/thumbnail_1476000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5973078/Oregon/District-says-tip-led-to-discovery-of-two-unloaded-firearms-officials-praise-anonymous-reporting-and-review-security-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973078-edab1797f9819bab89bcde058ad6109b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770687909&Signature=iUEu5bPc4X2kwJI0RR5RYJOUNGYAI4WRite48y6FWx8dPzmNkGAWLmE-K9XmZ~jsDqDAmeXaUdBa0X24ZMM4y1DgxjPYS7vgU-O5IrYgnRGAZMbYNugFyZn-v-H-Ap1frhm3JnYhqVyKDrWVG15x6drF73epL2jsT0gwAfR6yaK5WA0Kgv1bUCYWndMAqJ3tH4MOcNeboKAVN6wL8eDUX1bEo2skvQ0bCZJXUBXOJUM-gB-MaaaNRY3jMrFrRMjx4b0tJQmp9T1IVO2TopFawI52SCqPWPrGWb51-Iy4mwy~OjVj7-IBNbmreSS2m82SpSXesJaD81XkeI7-Tz-Kfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author"," Ontario School District 8C","date","2025-09-26T16:59:45.913Z","article","A community tip prompted school staff and the high school school resource officer to stop a student at the door and find two unloaded firearms, Superintendent Nikki told the board, and the district said the incident was contained quickly with no students harmed. The superintendent said law enforcement conducted a follow-up investigation and that district officials communicated with staff, families and the community.

The incident was reported to administrators at the start of the school day; the superintendent said the student was met at the door, searched and the weapons were located within minutes. \"We had things in place, and we have people who are willing to say something,\" the superintendent said, describing the tip system as central to preventing harm.

Why it matters: school safety and the district's response are immediate priorities for families and for board oversight. The district said its anonymous tip hotline, visible staff monitoring of entry points, threat-assessment teams and a comparatively large counseling staff were all factors that helped stop the threat before it escalated.

Board members and staff described the timeline: a tip was received, a student was met in an office and searched, and law enforcement was involved quickly. The superintendent said both firearms were not loaded and that prior information suggested there was no immediate danger to the general student population. Board members said they would continue to press for transparency while respecting limits on what can be shared during an active investigation involving minors.

District measures cited by the superintendent included an anonymous tip hotline printed on high school student badges, limited public entry points at school buildings, trained threat-assessment teams using counselors and administrators, and frequent emergency drills. The superintendent also noted the district has increased counseling staffing over the past decade and that counselors are available to students who are upset after hearing about the incident.

The board also discussed possible additional security measures, including the community question of metal detectors. The superintendent said metal detectors are expensive and would require a community discussion; she said the district is weighing tradeoffs between visible screening and maintaining a welcoming school environment. The superintendent added that the district plans follow-up communications for families describing what the district can and cannot share while police investigations are active.

Next steps described to the board included: additional messaging to families, a planned gang-prevention training the district is arranging with local law enforcement (James White was identified as a contact for training), and further review of protocols. The superintendent said the district will continue to work with the Ontario Police Department and asked the board to consider whether they want a formal presentation from the police or the district safety coordinator at a future meeting.

No formal board action was taken at the meeting on security purchases or policy changes; board members asked for more information and for a future briefing on security technology and protocols.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 22nd School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A community tip prompted school staff and the high school school resource officer to stop a student at the door and find two unloaded firearms, Superintendent Nikki told the board, and the district said the incident was contained quickly with no students harmed.","taxTitle","Ontario SD 8C, School Districts, Oregon","taxId",46629,"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},5973057,"Attorney warns board that approving stipends could create conflict; policy adoption may await legislative fix",142,3424000,3566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834436-9267b9dcd4d874fa7802c397e430bc09&start=3424&end=3566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834436-9267b9dcd4d874fa7802c397e430bc09/thumbnail_3424000.jpg","/articles/5973057/Oregon/Attorney-warns-board-that-approving-stipends-could-create-conflict-policy-adoption-may-await-legislative-fix","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973057-a3e167f51a5704d7f6366f28e1bd5e95/orig.mp4?Expires=1770687909&Signature=Wbl4O5ut6s1OqiTG9yrFCWUMlBBgzuct2v1Bv7wGVg9w-Z9Vz40aANfbo94kItC0oq3kQas5~WkBLWnswwJJ4DsS~h9MT2d08hDruVfiDD7iaLySHU0hI2i1-MSxghtich19YPIXFlk27LWQGWDWbN41wG8q-Y~pV07XOZta0v0HOrgLJGKme2NglYFVSnxcL7v9aHYl0MGwtisLVsrzCtPNSZPjD9OwluxnHaZS1ToncqxRIc2wabuBu~qPtqV26IDmb6XO5VnBwsmigfwecsiK5d9c3gxzNkv2yoKHP~KR630p9ZymKYBsLViiXLsTgPJNDv9m4UzbM-p5HJgNFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During policy discussion and first readings, an attorney who joined the meeting remotely advised the board that adopting a policy that allows stipends is legally different from approving stipends to be paid immediately. The attorney said a house bill had authorized school board stipends of up to $500 per month, but the Oregon Ethics Commission has taken the position that voting to approve stipends creates a conflict of interest for current board members.

\"This is just a policy. So you can approve this policy, and it won't necessarily implement any stipends being paid out to the board at this point in time,\" the attorney said. He outlined common approaches boards have taken elsewhere: refer the question to voters; adopt a stipend only for future board members; or wait for the legislature to clarify the ethics issue.

Board members discussed the origin of the proposed policy (it was supplied by the Oregon School Boards Association) and noted they were not taking action to pay any stipends at the meeting; one board member said the board likely would not seek stipends and that money should go to students and staff. The board approved business items 5 through 7 on first reading at the meeting; the attorney said adopting the policy language now would not automatically trigger payments.

The board did not adopt a stipend or set any compensation at the meeting and took no immediate financial action. The attorney recommended waiting for legislative guidance or using one of the established options to avoid a conflict-of-interest vote.","An online attorney told the board that while a policy enabling stipends can be adopted, approving a stipend payment now risks an Oregon Ethics Commission conflict-of-interest finding. The attorney described options including referring a stipend to voters, applying a stipend to future board members, or waiting for legislative clarification.",{"_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},5973063,"Teachers union urges collaborative agenda access, praises calm start to year and plans May 7 recognition event",247,3003000,3250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834436-9267b9dcd4d874fa7802c397e430bc09&start=3003&end=3250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834436-9267b9dcd4d874fa7802c397e430bc09/thumbnail_3003000.jpg","/articles/5973063/Oregon/Teachers-union-urges-collaborative-agenda-access-praises-calm-start-to-year-and-plans-May-7-recognition-event","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973063-3d916bf47adae36423ae9520122e2f21/orig.mp4?Expires=1770687909&Signature=kz5NGG4McWiqbXrlrQt1wBwr1WdTeGmc8QlfPuUI1BlVfm9o2DVr0HQrxy-hSm9R8BzA~9TdYv7NmuSdy5AsFPJebt8Q6C8KCa9F2bIn3MRW2zPYoR8QIYu5jtQL~6A~knWjntkk8I-xDQ2UmC6XL7TJgxOJgsZbc~bI8W6oHQwZti2xPnA2ShxT3PzNDnXJOEv5LwlhMDphid9Xqafmi~pSqPc3-IDZw6AAbCyckuc~tZQ7uSzSyqUNqZpMV-0nVtdTToLhW-ZE5URCCcAgz6JMh3BjPgDMiV2mKz52sJbxR8pv2bVVclTuKxMFc4MKgl51NP4zeU2VwG7eYRufEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kirsten Wheeler, president of the Ontario Education Association (OEA), told the board the union would like regular agenda time so it can bring constructive, proactive items directly to the board rather than relying on public comment. \"The OEA is looking to have honest, open, collaborative discussions with not just the district, but with the school board as well,\" Wheeler said.

Wheeler described building-level labor-management meetings in which teachers meet monthly with building administrators to raise concerns and solve problems early. She said those meetings have helped prevent grievances and that teachers reported a calm start to the school year with limited staff turnover. Wheeler credited last year’s contract gains for some of that stability.

Wheeler also announced a May 7 staff recognition event that will honor retirees and include awards named after local educators; she said the board will receive formal invitations and further details later. She urged board members to visit classrooms and observe instruction so they can \"make decisions based on evidence, not just stories.\"

Board members responded positively to Wheeler’s request for agenda time and to the plans for a teacher appreciation event; no formal action was taken at the meeting on labor issues.","Kirsten Wheeler, president of the Ontario Education Association, asked the board to formally put union updates on future agendas, described monthly labor-management meetings at each school, said teachers appreciate the calm start to the year and announced a May 7 staff recognition and awards event.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5973069,"District reports Division 22 compliance; superintendent-appointed equity advisory committee convenes",364,582000,946000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834436-9267b9dcd4d874fa7802c397e430bc09&start=582&end=946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834436-9267b9dcd4d874fa7802c397e430bc09/thumbnail_582000.jpg","/articles/5973069/Oregon/District-reports-Division-22-compliance-superintendent-appointed-equity-advisory-committee-convenes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973069-8446d13dcf4b61cb44a8c3569144f1dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770687909&Signature=ZOLn7n5p1P5PbwzBKb2QDWlVNa9fif7JSaFfVCWV5c7GtO3Fyd-9hksmsOvtCFRO9mBaJVDnEyA7uSFInuxFPcuWtXJlgK6f476Aud0Zx7lfIFUaGyhek36YyOAsj8MO6ZDR1lJKJWtMyM9uMbWvwWBKRqX31-nJN2j4~JOfDAtiVaxhtwUdiPGmbcpELYsfP6KQyseaailDcvwFULcOfoVnGOTLW4jXf4e3ClI7CrvYUe-ZHwHkrisvFB9Lcnm-mYdWyTJ~5kcsY7UWEpu~f4gzoGKBMQ2wmk0IvgDLKqJNAIuKP-~1k54Loxu6xStxUMOk7B5tZJ6x~7FMEpwxJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jody reported to the board that the district is meeting Division 22 standards, the state’s set of minimum expectations for public schools, and summarized recent additions the state has required. \"Vision 22 is basically the standard the state sets, the minimum standard the state sets for all schools,\" Jody said.

Jody said the district is compliant with recent requirements including social-emotional learning curriculum, personal-finance and career-path content standards, and a substance use prevention and intervention plan. She said administrator evaluation standards that were paused during COVID remain in place and that the district’s human-resources staff reported long-standing evaluation practices.

On essential skills testing, Jody said some waivers remain in place for students expected to graduate in ’27 and ’28 and that essential‑skills assessments for English learners have been waived through the end of 2028, per the state guidance described in the report. Jody said the district previously submitted a plan when it lacked a certified librarian and later rehired a retired certified librarian to support library assistants.

Jody also described the newly formed education equity advisory committee. Under recent legislative changes, committees of this type are now committees to the superintendent rather than board-established committees. Jody said she invited staff, parents, students (middle and high school), and community members to participate; the group met for a kickoff meeting last week to define goals and next steps.

No formal board action was required on the Division 22 report; Jody said the district will continue to bring the state report and local summaries to the board each year.","Jody told the board the district is in compliance with Division 22 (state education standards), that required items such as social-emotional learning and personal-finance content standards are in place, and that the district convened an education equity advisory committee under superintendent authority.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5973073,"District reviews Oregon Department of Education English learners report; local EL population rising",204,116000,320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834436-9267b9dcd4d874fa7802c397e430bc09&start=116&end=320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834436-9267b9dcd4d874fa7802c397e430bc09/thumbnail_116000.jpg","/articles/5973073/Oregon/District-reviews-Oregon-Department-of-Education-English-learners-report-local-EL-population-rising","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973073-246befcccaf132a41fcc091ef2fa842e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770687910&Signature=hEbsQWov1oupcmCtAyXqIX7Cb7r0kIIY~13m8u2fh4zKB-jf0HQ7AKNakSYrMh1gr4gGbO5bDxaA0B2U28h8fY48IsBPc2KiJ4Is3Dr1c5KG~Cif~de-SuYF85Wsf7EWejKNFv9YuJZd6SAwWZaBQnT8IHOUgCHesy2JD-dwpi44VF~FAATJitCo6hGEFHg7Eerao5FyPVRRwYk2wF86LwHPj1c~NRWYOhtV88eZEkIXu191bCnBhw6kaaHXMemuT5CuCHKaKT0qqjQqNyORZe4fAjr1deIWVmMcq12XP-UzjjgdW6g68ASocn~PSakROFxftVA-VPnDgeXhWSTEpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Annabelle presented the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) English learners (EL) report to the board, noting the state report uses data that is typically a year behind and that the district's local data shows recent increases in EL enrollment. \"This report is always a year late because our data operates that way,\" Annabelle told the board.

The report uses several EL categories the district will cite going forward: \"current ELs\" (students actively in language-learning services), \"former\" (students who have exited after meeting state proficiency), \"monitor\" (students tracked for four academic years after exit), \"ever EL\" (a combined count of current, former and monitor) and \"never EL\" (students who have never been in EL programming). Annabelle said the district provides scaffolding, graphic organizers and other supports so EL students can access grade-level content.

Annabelle said the district has seen an influx of new students: \"At the middle school, we have 30 newcomers. At the high school, pretty much the same.\" She added the majority of EL students are at elementary grades and that the district receives weighted funding for ELs but that educating EL students typically requires more resources than the weighting covers.

Key report sections Annabelle highlighted include demographics; participation in programs; language development; academic achievement and graduation progress; and state revenues and expenditures for ELs. She also noted the district provides EL identification and spring assessments for students enrolled in the Oregon Flex and Ontario Flex online programs through Pearson.

Annabelle said the district will continue to bring the ODE report to the board each year, supplemented by local tables and a two-page summary that highlights district progress and areas for improvement.

No board action was taken on the report itself; board members asked questions about online programs and data timing.","Annabelle presented the Oregon Department of Education's annual English learners report (2023–24 data) and shared local counts and definitions. The district said EL enrollment has increased, with about 30 newcomers at the middle school and similar numbers at the high school, and that supports will expand accordingly.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District says tip led to discovery of two unloaded firearms; officials praise anonymous reporting and review security measures

Attorney warns board that approving stipends could create conflict; policy adoption may await legislative fix

Teachers union urges collaborative agenda access, praises calm start to year and plans May 7 recognition event

District reports Division 22 compliance; superintendent-appointed equity advisory committee convenes

District reviews Oregon Department of Education English learners report; local EL population rising