Principals report enrollment gains at some schools but persistent attendance and space challenges across Grants Pass SD 7
Loading...
Summary
Building leaders told the budget committee about enrollment growth at several elementary schools, expanded after-school programs and AVID implementation, but said chronic attendance declines among younger grades, behavior incidents, and limited physical space are recurring concerns.
Principals across Grants Pass School District 7 used the budget committee meeting to summarize school-by-school academic gains and operational challenges, telling the committee that enrollment has risen at some elementary schools while attendance and behavior remain key concerns.
Several principals highlighted improvements and new programming. Tanya Reimer, Allendale’s first-year principal, said the school’s kindergarten midyear benchmark rates rose from about 67% in past years to 87% this year; she called that a “pretty significant” improvement and said kindergarten teachers may brief the board next month.
Other notable points from principals' reports: - Parkside: Principal Rob Lewis said regular-attender rates have improved over three years (from 69% to 75.4%) and that the school added a site-based program contributing to a net staffing increase. - Riverside: Principal Rob Henderson said a full-time “Stepping Stones” program and numerous volunteer after-school offerings have supported student engagement, but he cited hiring and retention of classified staff as a continuing problem and noted several grades’ attendance remain below 90%. - Redwood and Lincoln: Principals reported rising enrollment at the elementary level, expansions of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) strategies and new ELA curriculum implementation, while flagging space constraints for itinerant community partners. - Middle/high schools: North and South middle schools and Grants Pass High highlighted growth in AVID electives, improved reading and math diagnostic growth, and extracurricular participation; the high school reported a 93.9% graduation rate and expanding credit-recovery options.
Across buildings, principals repeatedly identified three recurring operational issues: lower attendance among younger students (kindergarten–second grade), increased major behavior referrals at some sites, and a shortage of private/meeting spaces for community partners and support staff. Several principals asked the district to monitor boundary and capacity implications tied to local housing development; the committee heard that new housing nearby will likely add students in future years.
Ending: Principals asked the board and budget committee to weigh facility limits, staffing needs, and attendance intervention funding when weighing next year’s budget priorities. Many said they will continue implementing AVID strategies and literacy curriculum work to sustain the reading gains reported at several schools.
