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Superintendent outlines facilities upgrades, attendance initiatives and ODE visit to Pleasant Valley
Summary
Superintendent Owens reported summer facilities work (Centennial Transition Center acquisition and renovations, seismic upgrades at Oliver Middle School, Parkland Elementary renovations and a new Palabute playground), summarized attendance work including a partnership with the Shadow Project, and said the Oregon Department of Education will visit Pleasant Valley Elementary on Sept. 17.
Superintendent Owens delivered the district’s Sept. 10 update, highlighting strategic priorities under Road Map 27 and a string of summer projects and operational work completed before the school year.
Owens said the district completed a renovation of the newly purchased Centennial Transition Center and carried out seismic upgrades at Oliver Middle School, added learning spaces at Parkland Elementary, and installed a new playground at Palabute Elementary. He also noted districtwide improvements such as refinished gym floors at Centennial High School, parking‑lot striping and fresh paint in libraries and common areas.
On student support and attendance, Owens described Everyday Matters, the district’s multi‑pronged attendance effort, and highlighted a partnership with the Shadow Project — a nonprofit funded in part by the Oregon Lottery that provides reading mentors and staff training. He linked sensory spaces and mentor supports to improved attendance and reported the district served over 3,000 breakfasts and 13,600 lunches during summer programs.
Owens said the Oregon Department of Education is planning a back‑to‑school visit to Pleasant Valley Elementary on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., tying in the Pleasant Valley feature on Everyday Matters with potential media collaboration. He also previewed work‑session topics including bargaining updates, long‑range facility planning and a board policy on cell‑phone restrictions in schools driven by a governor’s order; he said secondary procedures are in place and feedback so far has been "positive."
Owens noted the district is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the budget committee; the application will be posted Monday, Sept. 15 and remain open through Oct. 16, with interviews scheduled for the Oct. 22 board meeting. He said the district will perform a detailed class‑size review after the tenth day of school and has already added an additional kindergarten teacher at Pleasant Valley.
Next steps: staff will monitor cell‑phone policy implementation, complete the tenth‑day class‑size review in mid‑September, support the ODE visit on Sept. 17 and accept budget committee applications through Oct. 16.
