Superintendent reports on summer programs, state grant cuts, device executive order, facilities work and USDA nutrition award

Superintendent Owens told the Centennial School Board on July 9 that the district’s summer learning program is operating July 7–25 with a focus on literacy and enrichment and is funded in part by Oregon Department of Education grants. Enrollment figures presented were 282 elementary students (Butler Creek), 108 middle school students (Centennial Middle School), 56 participants in the Ninth Grade Counts program and 253 students in high-school credit recovery at Centennial High School. Owens said eight Centennial High School students of color are serving as educational assistants as part of a district educator pathway program.

Owens said summer programs are supported by $813,000 in funding from the Oregon Department of Education’s 2025 state summer learning grants, described in the meeting as part of “house bill 50 47.” He also warned that the recently passed state budget (referred to in the meeting as “senate bill 55 15”) is expected to reduce student success plan grant funding beginning July 2025, noting a reported statewide reduction of about 50% to equity-focused grants. District staff said the precise local impact is still being determined.

On student device policy, Owens briefed the board on Governor Kotek’s executive order 2509 (as referenced in the meeting), which prohibits student use of personal electronic devices during the instructional day and requires districts to adopt aligned policies by Oct. 31, 2025, with full implementation by Jan. 1, 2026. The superintendent said the district is reviewing ODE guidance and OSBA templates, will run local engagement cycles with students, staff and families, and is considering enforcement and restorative approaches where the executive order allows discretion (for example, concerns about field trips and after-school activities were raised during discussion).

Facilities and maintenance work planned for summer include seismic improvements at middle schools (structural supports, roof connections, concrete footings and rebuilding portions of exterior walls focused on central building areas), renovation of five learning spaces at Park Lane Elementary (music room, three general education classrooms and one ELD classroom), playground replacement at Powell Butte, a covered play shelter at Park Lane, and repainting large common spaces. The district completed an RFP process for a long-range facilities plan and issued an intent to award to DLR Group on July 3; staff said a contract will be presented for board approval at the July 30 retreat.

Owens also reported that Centennial’s dining services team received the Innovative Award in the Healthy Meals Incentives recognition program (U.S. Department of Agriculture and Action for Healthy Kids) for using USDA-based ingredients and new recipes. Recognized menu items included Mediterranean beef gyro with tzatziki, Italian meaty pasta bake and chicken shawarma with marinated cucumber salad; three staff members were invited to the Healthy Meal Summit in Las Vegas in October 2025.

Board members asked for clarity about ODE and Multnomah Education Service District resources as the district develops its cellphone/device policy. Staff said they are reviewing guidance provided by ODE and plan stakeholder engagement in late summer and early fall so the board can consider policy language before the Oct. 31 deadline.

The superintendent’s report also highlighted ongoing summer construction and maintenance work and the district’s intent to bring the DLR Group contract for long-range facilities planning to the July 30 meeting.