Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents and teachers urge town halls, more outreach before schedule and grade changes
Summary
Multiple public commenters and teachers told the board they were not adequately consulted on proposed later start times and the 5th/6th grade reconfiguration, asking for town halls and clearer rationale and warning of impacts on working families and special-education access.
During the public-comment period several parents and teachers took the microphone to oppose the proposed later start times and the 5th/6th grade reconfiguration and to call for more community engagement. A parent said that while later start times "may sound helpful in theory," decisions that affect every family should be made with town-hall-style community input. Another parent described struggles with absenteeism and special education accommodations and questioned whether a clock shift would change chronic absence patterns.
Teachers also spoke about implementation stress. One teacher who identified herself as a 7th-grade social-studies teacher and Oregon Teacher of the Year said colleagues being asked to teach new subjects without curriculum or supplies were "stressed" and urged the district to slow adoption and collaborate more with staff. Multiple speakers asked that parents be included in planning committees and requested clear communication about the rationale, data and timelines for proposed changes. The board acknowledged the feedback and said staff would continue conversations and answer emailed questions.
