Superintendent outlines midyear academic gains and formally moves district office to underused building to expand alternative programs

Dr. Ainsworth, the district superintendent, told the Coos Bay School District 9 board that the district has decided to move its central office into an underused building this spring and that the board will be asked to ratify a new calendar that shifts instructional time to prioritize students. The relocation is intended to free up space at the current Milner Press site so the district can expand alternative education programs and other student-facing offerings.

The move followed a needs assessment Dr. Ainsworth said had been under way for “several years.” He said the decision was driven by a desire to use existing district-owned space rather than ask voters for a new bond. “We will move the district office from the current location to this building,” he said, and described a phased plan to remodel the south/front of the building, relocate staff over the summer (or sooner, depending on progress), and then start adding student programs on the north side in later phases.

Dr. Ainsworth framed the decision with academic context: the midyear review presented to the board shows growth in reading and math at several schools, and he emphasized that calendar choices are intended to maximize instructional time while preserving staff professional time. “More time is better than less time in school,” he said when describing goals behind the proposed calendar changes.

Key details about the district office…