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Siuslaw board directs independent review of Whitmore Classical Academy materials under state standards
Summary
After extensive public comment both supporting and questioning the Whitmore Classical Academy curriculum, the board directed the superintendent to convene a committee to review the charter school's materials for adherence to SB 13 and Division 22 standards (resolution 031126-6.5).
The Siuslaw School District board voted March 11 to direct the superintendent to convene an independent committee to review Whitmore Classical Academy (WCA) curriculum materials for compliance with Oregon requirements — specifically SB 13 and Division 22 standards.
Public comment at the meeting included several supporters of Whitmore who described the charter’s classical-education approach and urged approval; other community members and board directors raised concerns about specific materials and the need to confirm alignment to state standards. One public commenter, Chuck Trent, identified himself as a board member and treasurer of Siuslaw Valley Charter School and argued the curriculum is not religious and cited research supporting the core-knowledge model.
Superintendent Andrew Grascoiak described the review process allowed under policy (an elementary administrator, a librarian, 2–3 teachers, four community members and a student representative) and said the district would apply established rubrics for independent adoption reviews to minimize bias and show where materials meet standards or require clarification. Directors debated the review lens — whether it should be solely conformity to state standards or include alignment to district values — but several members stressed the committee should be neutral, use predefined crosswalks and complete work quickly under the policy timeline.
The board formalized direction by approving resolution 031126-6.5 instructing the superintendent to convene the committee and return a report. The superintendent indicated the policy timeline allows a 45-day process and estimated the committee could complete a review in four to six weeks if it hustled. The board specified that the review should focus on adherence to SB 13 and Division 22 and that selected participants include district and community stakeholders; board members may help define participants but will not dominate committee deliberations.
