Siuslaw School District board ratifies Siuslaw Valley Charter School contract for Whitmore Academy, 6–1

After a second reading and extended discussion, the Siuslaw School District 97J board voted to ratify the contract allowing Siuslaw Valley Charter School to operate Whitmore Charter Academy within the district.

Jody O'Mara, who was introduced as a participant in the contract negotiations, told directors the charter school is in the second round of head‑of‑school interviews and expects to finalize hiring in early October. She said the charter team expects to provide a list of students intending to enroll by Oct. 1. Directors probed operational details including transportation and benefits administration: administration explained the district will not create new bus routes or stops to serve the charter and that Whitmore Classical Academy (WCA) will obtain and manage its own Oregon Educators Benefit Board (OEBB) administrative account for staff enrollment.

"We're currently in the second round of interviews for our head of schools. That will happen early in October," Jody O'Mara said when asked about staffing timelines. Questions from directors also covered payroll/insurance administration, the OEBB enrollment process, and whether a vice‑chair signature or the eventual head of school signature should appear on the contract.

Director Barnett moved to ratify the contract; the motion was seconded and the board took a roll‑call vote. The contract passed 6–1 with Vice Chair Milton Burger recorded as the lone dissenting vote. Director Maureen (speaking earlier in the discussion) said she appreciated the negotiation work but would vote no because of concerns about meeting deadlines and operational readiness without a confirmed head of school or building.

Administration said it will distribute the amended discussion points (language changes) to the board and post the final contract as part of meeting minutes; staff indicated the contract will be available to the public once ratified.