Superintendent presents midyear student-achievement report and a revised academic calendar for board ratification

Superintendent Dr. Ainsworth presented a midyear review of student learning and a proposed academic calendar to the Coos Bay School District 9 board, highlighting pockets of growth and recommending calendar changes designed to increase instructional time and provide scheduled professional collaboration for staff.

Dr. Ainsworth framed the district’s midyear work around research-based practices and listed eight characteristics of high-performing systems. He highlighted gains at several schools: Madison showed “red getting smaller” in longitudinal reading data, Eastside kindergarten ELA proficiency rose to 62% (up from 28%), and several elementary schools reported measurable growth in reading and math benchmarks. Marshall Junior High reported students earning high school credit and strong athletic participation. The superintendent also noted secondary concerns, including a 13% failure rate in 10th grade that requires further analysis.

On the calendar, administration proposed 173 instructional days and 190 contract days, prioritizing more time for instruction early in the year and shifting to full Thursdays instead of Thursday early-release days to avoid losing instructional minutes when Fridays are noninstructional. The superintendent said the district will hold school Monday–Tuesday of Thanksgiving week and give the remainder of that week off, a change intended to keep more instructional days for students who do not travel for Thanksgiving. He described the calendar goals as: maximize instructional time, prioritize staff professional time in micro-professional-development blocks and provide predictability for families.

Board members asked for time to review the calendar details and for the administration to bring a ratification item to a future meeting. Dr. Ainsworth said a calendar will be presented in the board packet and asked for questions; staff also credited HR director Michelle Barton for leading staff input on the draft calendar.

Ending: Administration will return with the formal calendar for board ratification at a future meeting and will continue to refine school-by-school data in upcoming data meetings.