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Superintendent praises cellphone policy; flags CTE tuition concern and Cascade pool financial stress
Summary
Superintendent Kovach reported improved classroom engagement after stricter cellphone rules, described an expensive CTE regional center proposal (tuition ~$8,300 per student) that could exceed district funding, and warned Cascade pool is in financial distress with potential district implications for facility ownership.
Superintendent Kovach told the board Oct. 22 that the district’s renewed enforcement of its cell‑phone policy has visibly increased classroom engagement and improved transitions between classes.
Kovach also described a Southern Oregon ESD proposal to create a regional CTE center near Rogue Community College focused initially on medical trades (EMT, phlebotomy, medical filling). Staff said a donor may underwrite a building purchase but quoted a per‑student tuition north of $8,000 (the number cited was about $8,300), which Kovach said would be more than the district receives for half‑time students and could make participation financially impractical without additional funding or revised tuition arrangements.
On facilities, Kovach said the Cascade pool — used by the district swim team — is in significant financial difficulty and may be unable to continue under its current operating model; the district is working with the pool to reduce costs and seek grants, and staff warned the board that a future decision could be required about the facility and property if the organization ceases operations.
Board members asked questions about PLC funding sources, pilot timelines for PLCs at secondary schools, and where time for PLC implementation would come from; staff said the district pays current PLC costs with general funds and estimated initial PLC participation costs at about $50,000 plus additional travel and staffing time.
