Superintendent celebrates AP results, introduces new CHRO and invites feedback on fundraising policy

Superintendent Steve Cook used his July 2026 board report to highlight Advanced Placement results, introduce the district's new chief human resources officer and urge community input on draft fundraising policies.

Cook reported that across the district’s seven high schools roughly 2,800 AP exams were taken this year, with an 80% pass rate and 17% of exams earning perfect scores. "We had about 2,800 AP tests taken with an 80% pass rate and a 17% perfect score rate across our seven high schools in the community," he said, calling the results a "wonderful point of success for our students and our staff."

He said the district is distributing 700 "signs of success" yard signs to students who met criteria such as perfect AP or IB scores, completion of CTE programs, or earning a seal of biliteracy. "We have 700 signs... being delivered in our communities," Cook said, naming La Pine, Sunriver and the Greater Bend area as delivery locations.

Cook introduced Tony Sanchez as the district's new chief human resources officer, noting Sanchez started on July 1 and will focus on streamlining and elevating the HR department. "He's really gonna make a difference helping our HR department become more streamlined, more sophisticated, and elevated into the 21st century," Cook said.

On fundraising, Cook said the board is soliciting feedback on draft policies. He reported one public commenter, Catherine Scondon, offered practical suggestions on language and raised questions about whether the district has authority to govern outside organizations such as parent‑teacher organizations. Cook encouraged the community to submit questions or suggestions as the district refines policy language.

The superintendent closed by noting the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. and listing the next board meeting as Aug. 11 at 5:30 p.m.