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Superintendent: Estacada launches free meals districtwide, reports smooth cell‑phone policy rollout and CTE partnership plans
Summary
Superintendent Carpenter told the board Estacada is offering free breakfast and lunch districtwide with improved reimbursement rates, the district implemented a new cell‑phone policy early with positive early results, and the district is advancing a CTE partnership with nearby districts and Clackamas Community College.
Superintendent Carpenter gave a multifaceted report at the Sept. 10 meeting, highlighting several operational and programmatic updates for Estacada School District 108.
Free meals: Carpenter said this is the first year the district is offering free breakfast and lunch to all students and that participation is high. He reported the district now receives 90% reimbursement for meals under the funding process the district used (compared with roughly 70% when families were charged), and he encouraged families to participate.
Cell‑phone policy: The superintendent said the district implemented an executive‑order prompted policy early (citing Governor Tina Kotek's executive direction beginning Jan. 1) to restrict phones and other two‑way communication devices on campus at bell time. Carpenter said initial violation rates were higher in the first weeks but have decreased and staff report increased student engagement and easier enforcement; he credited communications outreach including a Facebook Live session.
CTE partnership and homeschool participation: Carpenter described plans to strengthen career technical education (CTE) by collaborating with Molalla School District and Clackamas Community College on niche programs (diesel mechanics, electrical engineering, agriculture, manufacturing) and discussed a forthcoming policy conversation about whether and how homeschooled students may participate in in‑day district electives; he noted extracurricular OSAA participation is required by law but in‑day participation rules are a board policy decision.
Other recognitions: Carpenter recognized social worker Bettina Bowles for a local volunteer award and noted Estacada Middle School was removed from the Oregon Department of Education's 'target' list following improvements in reading and math outcomes.
Next steps: Carpenter recommended follow‑up on the CTE pathway planning with other boards, and the board asked staff to return with policy options on homeschool participation and with additional data on free‑meal uptake as requested by trustees.
