Corvallis parents, students and teachers press school board over layoffs and cuts to music programs

Dozens of Corvallis parents, students and district staff urged the Corvallis School Board on May 8 to reverse or soften staffing reductions and proposed cuts to elementary music and enrichment programs, saying the moves will damage student opportunities and long-term community support for schools.

The appeals came during an extended public-comment period that included classroom teachers, music educators and students from across the district. “I know I speak for a lot of my peers about the hurt these layoffs are causing at our schools,” eighth-grader Miriam Becerra told the board, adding she could not “understand why it's fit to lay off so many educators, while also keeping administrator salary so high.”

Parents and staff described multiple effects they say the reductions will cause. Amanda Buchanan, a district employee who spoke as a parent, said administrators told her family a student on an individualized education program (IEP) must graduate in four years if “mathematically” possible, even when parents and the IEP team had previously planned an extended pathway. She said that change led her son to leave the district. Other speakers, including union representatives and teachers, read names of at least 21 certificated staff impacted by reductions and highlighted additional part-time layoffs and temporary-contract losses.

Why it matters: Commenters said the cuts target programs—especially music—that students rely on for learning, social connection and safety. Multiple student speakers described music classes as the place where they made friends, found mentors and developed skills. Teachers and union leaders warned rollbacks risked long-term declines in participation and could weaken volunteer and levy support the district relies on for summer programming.

What speakers asked for: Community members sought more transparent, timely communications about how staffing decisions were made, and they urged the board to explore alternatives to cutting classroom positions. Several speakers called for clearer explanations of how the district prioritized cuts after its public budget survey and for better outreach to parents before decisions were communicated. Teachers asked the board and administration to consider administrative reductions or alternate savings before making classroom layoffs.

Board response and status: Board members did not take a final vote on staffing during the meeting. Several board members expressed appreciation for the public testimony and acknowledged the…