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Coos Bay School District superintendent outlines new mission, reading initiative and expanded early-college options
Summary
Superintendent Justin Ainsworth presented the district's revised mission and four board goals, described elementary reading and math initiatives and said the district is expanding AP and dual-credit opportunities while seeking subs and stronger attendance post‑COVID.
Dr. Justin Ainsworth, superintendent of Coos Bay School District 9, visited the City Council meeting to present a high-level update on the district’s priorities, programs and needs and to thank city staff for emergency‑planning collaboration.
Ainsworth said the district developed a shorter, practical mission emphasizing a K–12 continuum so that when students leave the district they are either enrolled in postsecondary education, employed or enlisted — what he called the district’s “threes.” He said the district is working to give every student a plan and to “know all kids by name,” and emphasized responsiveness to students’ academic and behavioral needs in real time.
Key initiatives Ainsworth described include a districtwide emphasis on the science of reading in early grades, a multi-tiered system of supports to respond quickly to students’ needs, a new standards‑aligned math curriculum and a target of 120 minutes per day of purposeful reading, writing and discussion. “We want to stay out of the emergency room academically and behaviorally,” Ainsworth said, urging early intervention when students struggle.
Ainsworth also highlighted growth in advanced-placement enrollment — he said Coos Bay’s AP participation is about 24%, above the Oregon average and trending toward the national average — and expanding dual-enrollment partnerships with Southwestern Oregon to increase early-college access. He said dual-enrollment participation is increasing and estimated it is in the low 20s percent of students.
Needs he identified included substitute teachers (he quoted a pay rate of about $220 per day) and improved student attendance following the pandemic. He said the district is aligning CTE programs with regional projects, noting a potential Coast Guard ROTC program in Coos Bay as an opportunity to tie career pathways to local economic development.
Mayor Benetti and several council members thanked Ainsworth and discussed continuing joint meetings and collaboration between the district and city departments on emergency planning and student safety. No council action was required or taken on the presentation.
Ending: Ainsworth said the district will continue to report incremental data monthly, pursue partnerships for career and technical education and seek community help to recruit substitute teachers and improve attendance.
