Coos Bay superintendent outlines early wins, reading gains and targets as budget concerns loom

Superintendent Gary presented a broad progress report and short‑term priorities to the Coos Bay School District board during a work session, saying his first 30 days of listening sessions with students, staff and community members shaped immediate next steps.

Gary told the board he has met with five students, more than 35 staff members, six parents and numerous community stakeholders to gather perspectives on curriculum, supports and resource allocation. “I have had listening sessions so far in my 30 days, with 5 students,” he said, noting those conversations helped shape priorities for family engagement, professional learning and student voice.

The superintendent pointed to measurable assessment improvements. He reported DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy) proficiency at the K–2 level rose from roughly 23 percent when the district began using the Amplify curriculum to about the mid‑50s by the most recent administration, and said a single cohort with three years of Amplify showed marked growth. On math, Gary noted SuccessMaker usage helped halve the share of students in the lowest performance band at K–5 and produced modest gains at 6–8.

“Since the implementation of DIBELS, we’ve made some good jumps,” Gary said, and added that teachers and assessment practices have improved with experience administering the one‑to‑one test.

Gary also described changes meant to broaden college and career pathways: the district will cover ACT costs to expand access, add AP environmental science for freshmen and implement a sophomore AP seminar and pre‑AP ninth‑grade options. He said AP/dual‑enrollment participation is expected to rise to roughly 44 percent of high‑school students this year, up from about 34 percent.

On attendance and longer‑range targets, Gary reiterated the district’s KPIs through 2028: a 90 percent regular‑attender goal at the elementary level, reading and math proficiency goals and targets for CTE concentrators and four‑year completion. He said elementary regular‑attender rates have climbed back to the mid‑60s after COVID and described attendance advocates and family outreach as central tactics to raise participation.

The superintendent warned of a looming budget challenge, attributing part of the pressure to the expiration of one‑time COVID funds and statewide tax changes that could reduce revenue. “We’re slightly less than a billion‑dollar shortfall as a state for the coming year,” he told the board, and said the district will need to plan for potential staffing and program adjustments and prioritize core services.

Board members asked about measures for equity and family supports — including preschool expansion and barriers to after‑school participation — and pressed for clarity on which programs might be vulnerable if cuts are required. Gary said he will convene finance and building leaders to align enrollment projections with ODE filings and identify priority staff and services.

The superintendent closed by outlining operational steps: a professional‑development plan for administrators, strengthened PLCs (professional learning communities), expanded student voice through a superintendent advisory committee and continued work to align evaluation systems to evidence‑based practices.

Next steps: Gary will refine KPI targets and survey plans and return a clearer budget timeline and staffing scenarios for board review; the board asked to see refined goal language and measurement indicators at an upcoming meeting.