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A6 — THE OBSERVER
LEARNING
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of right now, I don’t think
there’s a plan in Pendleton
School District to get rid
of snow days. That’s not
saying that it’s not off the
table, but there is no plan to
get rid of them on our end.”
The ability to integrate
online learning has cre-
ated more flexibility for
school districts, according
to La Grande School Dis-
trict Superintendent George
Mendoza.
“I definitely think
that choices and options,
whether it’s home school
and homelink programs, or
whether it’s online schools
and whether it’s brick and
mortar — it’s here to stay,”
he said. “And being flexible
at home, online learning and
hybrid approaches are here
to stay. So anything that has
to do with technology that
enhances online as well as
in-person learning is some-
thing we’re going to keep
having to do, and we will.
We’re happy to do that.”
Mendoza said that the
school district had been piv-
oting toward integrating
technology like Google
Classroom and Canvas into
its curriculum and toolkit,
but the pandemic had accel-
erated that effort.
“We were already
working on doing more
with Google Classroom,
posting lessons and activ-
ities and offering feedback
and information and cre-
ating engagement through
that, but (the pandemic)
definitely made it some-
thing we had to get better
at and do better at,” he said.
“Having the ability for
teachers to be able to create
a classroom in person as
well as a classroom online
— to me, that’s part of the
future and part of what has
to remain for the future.”
Mendoza cautioned that
online learning should
also emphasize online
citizenship and building
healthy relationships
SaTuRday, apRil 9, 2022
online with classmates.
“We got good kids,
but everybody needs to
be better about how they
interact on social media,
and how they interact in
digital messaging,” he said.
“That’s part of the future,
I think, and not only just
good character educa-
tion, but I think we need to
make sure that we help kids
have good relationships
electronically.”
Part of that education
future could include online
classes taken at universities
through partnerships with
the school district.
“Any time you can create
more options for kids or
opportunities for kids, that’s
alex Wittwer/EO Media Group
Uriah Gatliff, a student at La Grande Middle School, works on an
assignment during class on Thursday, April 7, 2022. La Grande School
District Superintendent George Mendoza said that while the district
was pivoting toward implementing Chromebooks and Google
platforms prior to the pandemic, COVID-19 accelerated the process.
part of the future,” Men-
doza said. “Future kids and
families want options more
BOND
tage of the 2-for-1 deal,
there’s no guarantee the
district would be awarded
future Oregon School Cap-
ital Improvement Matching
grants because school dis-
tricts have to compete for
them. He also noted that
there’s no guarantee the
state will continue the
matching grant program.
Continued from Page A1
bond won with 66% voter
support.
“This shows that
everyone has been bene-
fiting from it. We should be
able to benefit as well,” said
Robin Jolin, a La Grande
School District parent.
The 2-for-1 bargain is
not the only thing Mea-
sure 31-105 has going for
it. Passage of the proposed
bond would not raise tax
rates of the district’s prop-
erty owners because of
the recent refinancing of
the 20-year, $31.5-mil-
lion bond voters approved
in 2014 in the La Grande
School District for cap-
ital construction and
maintenance.
This means that the
$1.93 tax rate per $1,000
of accessed property value
now being paid for school
district bond taxes will
remain the same if Mea-
sure 31-105 passes.
“Your tax rate will stay
the same,” La Grande
School District Superin-
tendent George Mendoza
said during a Bond Infor-
mation Night presentation
April 5 at Greenwood Ele-
mentary School.
The superintendent
also noted that the length
of time taxpayers will be
making bond payments
will remain the same
whether or not Measure
31-105 passes. This means
payment will be made by
taxpayers through 2035.
Should the measure
fail, property owners in
the La Grande School Dis-
trict would see their taxes
drop 28 cents to $1.65 per
$1,000 of assessed prop-
erty value because they
would be paying only for
the refinanced $31.5 mil-
lion bond, meaning the
owner of a $150,000 home
would be paying $42 less a
year in property taxes and
the owner of a $200,000
home would be spending
$56 dollars less a year in
taxes, Mendoza said.
Two buildings long
past their prime
Passage of the bond
would not only mean the
Annex would be replaced,
but also the district’s main-
than ever, and we need to
make sure we’re trying to
create that opportunity.”
Long a topic of
conversation
la Grande School district/Contributed Photo
This artist’s rendering, released in February 2022, shows what the proposed new multi-use building at La Grande Middle School could look
like. Voters will decide on a bond to pay for it in the May 17 election.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PROPOSED BOND
LA GRANDE — The La Grande School District is conducting a series of
Bond Information Night programs in April on the $4.485 million bond the
district will ask voters to approve in the May 17 election to build a new aca-
demic and athletic center.
The remaining Bond Information Nights are on Monday, April 11, in La
Grande Middle School’s commons; Thursday, April 14, in La Grande High
School’s AV auditorium; and Thursday, April 21, in Island City Elementary
School’s library. Each of the information nights start at 6 p.m.
People who cannot attend in person can watch the sessions virtually by using
the Google Meet link on the La Grande School District’s Facebook page.
alex Wittwer/EO Media Group, File
Measure 31-105, if passed by voters in the May 17, 2022, election,
would pay for replacing the old Annex building on the La Grande
Middle School grounds, as well as the adjacent maintenance
structure, in order to make room for a new athletic and academic
center for the school district.
tenance, facilities and
grounds structure — built
in 1911 — would also be
torn down. The district’s
maintenance, facilities and
grounds services would be
moved to a 10,500-square-
foot space the school dis-
trict would rent on Adams
Avenue at the Adams Pro-
fessional Plaza.
Mayes said this move is
needed because of the poor
condition of the current
maintenance facility.
However, most of the
focus at Bond Informa-
tion Night sessions has
been on the need to replace
the aging Annex building,
which features a full-size
gym that is used exten-
sively by the school dis-
trict, especially La Grande
Middle School, and for
community athletic
activities.
Mendoza said the
Annex gym is often used
from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on
Brian Trice
August 17, 1970 - March 15, 2022
Brian Trice passed away on
March 15, 2022, in Nampa,
Idaho, due to complications
that developed while battling
respiratory illness. He was 51
years old. Brian was born Aug.
17, 1970, in La Grande, Oregon,
to Arthur Trice and Shirley Trice-
Harris. Brian was the oldest of
three boys, with younger brothers
Eric and Marc Trice. He was the
proud father of Tevin Trice (Samantha) and grandfather
of Keaton Trice.
He is survived by his parents, Arthur and Shirley;
his brother, Eric; girlfriend, Kimberly; son, Tevin
(Samantha); grandson, Keaton; and many aunts, uncles
and cousins that will miss him dearly. Brian was preceded
in death by his brother, Marc Trice; grandmother,
(Grandma) Donna Campbell; grandfather, Lucky Trice;
uncle, Doug Trice; and aunt, Margie Cordova.
Brian loved his family. He particularly loved being
a grandfather and was looking forward to a second
grandson. He was a loving and devoted son, and his
family was extremely important to him. Brian was
authentic, a real what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of
man. He was the first one to arrive and one of the last to
leave for work or any activity. He loved to be outdoors,
from hunting elk to fishing off a riverbank or from a
kayak.
Brian was always generous with his time and
knowledge and was willing to teach anyone who wanted
to learn. He had a gift for making people laugh and being
the life of the party. Brian was driven, hardworking and
always improving himself. He was deeply loved, and he
will be deeply missed.
weekdays for physical edu-
cation classes and school
district athletic programs.
Nonprofit community
organizations, which the
district allows to use the
facility for no cost, often
cannot use the Annex until
7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. Plans
call for the proposed new
building to have two gyms,
which would greatly ease
the log-jam demand for
space.
Mayes noted that the
proposed new academic
and athletic center would
meet Americans with Dis-
abilities Act accessible
standards, a plus since the
Annex, close to 100 years
old, is hard for people with
mobility issues to get into.
“That in itself is a huge
reason why we should
replace the building,” said
Mayes, who served as
principal of Central Ele-
mentary School for seven
years before retiring at the
end of June 2021.
She does not believe the
school district should con-
tinue spending money to
maintain the aging Annex
building.
“We are at that point
where it is not sufficient to
keep putting band-aids on
it,” Mayes said.
Mendoza said this may
not be an ideal time to seek
the bond because of issues
like inflation, yet there is
now a rare opportunity due
to the availability of the
state matching grant.
“Now is the time we
Jakki L. (Berg) Boehne
December 29, 1955 - April 5, 2022
It is with great sadness we
announce the passing of Jakki Lee
Boehne on Tuesday, April 5, 2022,
at the age of 66. Jakki will be
lovingly remembered and missed
by her family and friends. A funeral
service will be held at the La Grande
Faith Lutheran Church on Saturday,
April 9, 2022, at 2 p.m.
Jakki was born in La Grande,
Oregon, on Dec. 29, 1955, to Cecil A. Berg and Helen
R. Berg. She graduated from La Grande High School in
1974 and went on to earn her BA at Eastern Oregon State
College (now EOU) in 1978. Jakki started her teaching
career in Elgin, Oregon, teaching third grade. She then
was hired by the La Grande School District and worked as
a first grade and kindergarten teacher until her retirement.
Jakki married Paul Boehne in 1991 in La Grande. They
enjoyed their farm out in the valley and it was the source
of inspiration for Jakki’s pictures and greeting cards.
Jakki loved sewing! And she loved her dogs! She
loved to cook and process vegetables raised on her farm
in a wonderful canning kitchen. She was proud of her
lifelong friendships made with her high school friends,
and the many friends she made and maintained through
her teaching career and into retirement. Jakki was a
member of Faith Lutheran Church and was active in
supporting the ministry in multiple ways.
Jakki was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil
A. and Helen R. Berg; a sister, Cecile Danice; and
a brother, Tod Michael Berg. She is survived by her
husband, Paul; sister and brother-in-law, Linda and
Monte King of Roseburg, Oregon; niece, Natalie Chong
of Roseburg, Oregon; nephew and wife, Troy and Jamie
King of Roseburg, Oregon; nephew, Parker Berg of North
Carolina; and three great-nieces.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made
to SHINE Preschool, 104 S. 12th St., La Grande, OR
97850; the Blue Mountain Humane Association, 3212
Hwy 30, La Grande, OR 97850; or Ducks Unlimited
Memorial Contribution, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis,
TN 38120.
Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.
have the opportunity to
move forward,” he said.
The superintendent
stressed that if voters
decide not to take advan-
Mayes said that dis-
cussions of replacing the
Annex gym have been
going on for decades
because of its poor
condition.
“It can’t happen soon
enough,” she said, adding
the gym is drafty and can
get so cold that some people
wear gloves inside the
building.
Mayes said the school
district is fortunate to have
the opportunity to pass a
bond that is guaranteed a
matching grant and would
not raise the current tax
rate.
“It seems like all the
stars have lined up for the
perfect scenario,” she said.
Ballots for the by-mail
election will be sent out by
the Union County Clerk’s
Office on April 27 and must
be returned by May 17.
Richard L. Springer
December 9, 1950 - December 17, 2020
Richard “Rick” Lee Springer,
70, died on Dec. 17, 2020, in
La Grande, Oregon, after an
extended illness with Parkinson’s
disease. Friends are invited to
join family in sharing memories
of his life, love and practical
jokes on Saturday, April 16,
2022, at 2 p.m. at the Elgin
Community Center.
Rick was born on Dec. 9,
1950, to Marvin LeRoy Springer and Vivian Barbara
“Betty” (Sanders) Springer in Baker City, Oregon.
Childhood summers were spent with his grandparents
and other extended family, making memories with his
cousins, Marcie and Sheila. He lived in small towns
throughout the Willamette Valley and in 1969 graduated
from Colfax (California) High School, where he played
football and basketball. From an early age, he was
known as a jokester who loved to make people laugh.
He may have ended up with more than he bargained
for by passing down his ornery ways to five relentless
daughters whom he shared with Sue Ann (Charles)
Springer. When asked about never having a son, Rick
would brag that he had girls to tag along while hunting,
fishing, camping, racing cars and (hopefully) finding
more huckleberries and mushrooms than they could eat.
Rick spent his young adult years working in the
timber industry and as a grocery store meatcutter.
After earning degrees in accounting and community
service from Blue Mountain Community College and
Eastern Oregon State College, he worked in downtown
La Grande at an accounting firm. He later returned to
the timber industry for more than 20 years and was
especially proud of his position as Total Quality Manager
at Boise Cascade. He was instrumental in establishing
the Grande Ronde Motorsports Association, which
served as host for dirt track races at the Union County
Fairgrounds in the 1980s and 1990s. He was also an
ambitious volunteer and member of the Fraternal Order
of the Eagles, American Quarter Horse Association,
American Cribbage Congress, American Red Cross and
the Union County Cruisin’ Corvette Club.
Rick enjoyed spending time with friends barbecuing,
listening to country music and dancing. He felt most
at home in rural settings with space for snowmobiling,
four-wheelers and tending to the horses. He is
remembered by family as being someone who made
life fun, often distributing money for his Super Bowl
betting pools and giving away strips of lottery tickets.
His grandchildren held an especially dear place in his
heart. Rick was grateful to spend his last years with his
dearest friend and love of his life, Phyllis Wright, who
brought out his most generous and loving traits.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin
Springer and Betty and Mike O’Hara; siblings, Ron
Springer, Candy Yunk and infant brother, Michael
Springer; and cousin, Marcia Winebarger Pender. He is
survived by his cousin, Sheila Valentine of Baker City;
five daughters, La Nanna (Paul) Bewley of Corvallis,
Ricanna (Jack) Halsey of Aiken, South Carolina,
Leianna (James) Wheeler of Monroe, Lorcinda
(James) Johnston of La Grande, and Elainna (Paul)
Howland of Pendleton; 13 grandchildren and five great-
grandchildren; and a few very cherished nephews, niece
and second cousins.
Rick’s pranks, outgoing nature and genuine desire to
help others in need will be missed by all.