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Connect Newberg asks district to back international middle-school exchange; Rotary grant covers initial trip
Summary
Brandon Slider, founder and president of Connect Newberg, asked the Newberg School District 29J board to support a new exchange program with sister cities in Austria and Japan and said a Rotary Foundation grant will fund the initial teacher travel; the district was not asked to fund the exploratory trip.
Brandon Slider, founder and president of the nonprofit Connect Newberg, used the public-comment period to request board support for developing an international exchange for Mountain View Middle School with sister cities in Austria and Japan.
"My name is Brandon Slider. I'm here today in my capacity as a founder and president of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Connect Newberg," Slider said, explaining that he will lead a delegation to Austria this September to explore potential exchange partnerships and that a Rotary Foundation grant will cover the travel costs for a participating teacher.
Slider asked the district to consider whether it would support a recurring exchange program and said his organization can provide volunteer and logistical support so the district would not have to cover travel costs for students. A teacher from the middle school, Connor Lambert, will join the delegation; Slider said the Rotary grant paid that teacher's way.
District staff and board members clarified that the exploratory trip incurs no district expense and that any decision to create and operate an ongoing exchange program would rest with the schools and administration. A staff member confirmed the initial trip is funded through the grant and other sources.
Board members thanked Slider and said they would take the proposal under consideration and coordinate with staff on next steps if the district is interested in pursuing the program.
