Interim superintendent: Coos Bay Schools showing literacy gains, but attendance and budget pressures remain

Gary Roberts, interim superintendent of Coos Bay Schools, told the council the district has made measurable literacy progress for a cohort now in third grade while flagging attendance and budget pressures that will shape the year ahead.

Roberts said one cohort began kindergarten with 77% of students in the DIBELS 'red' category and is now down to 30% below grade level in third grade. "We're chunking away at that number," he said, and set a district goal of reducing the 'red' group to 0% by the end of third grade.

Roberts highlighted other measures: Coos Bay's advanced placement enrollment is 44% (national average cited at 35%), and advanced placement qualifying scores were around 40% versus a state average of 22%. He also said 12 sixth graders are being bussed to junior high for advanced math and the district has added a junior ROTC program at the high school.

At the same time, Roberts said student attendance remains a concern: several buildings have regular-attender rates below pre-pandemic levels (elementary K–2 around 69%, Millicombe and Sunset about 63%, junior high 59%, and high school 52%). He warned the district faces a likely state revenue forecast that could include "2 and a half to 5% cuts," and staff are preparing for possible impacts to the budget.

Misty Fuel, a senior at Destinations Academy and the school's student representative, described student-led community service and curriculum highlights, saying, "We truly value having such a strong community within Destinations and the Milner Crest Education Center."