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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (July 2, 2014)
Page A-2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, July 2, 2014 Letters to the Editor Dysfunctional board The ongoing drama which has overtaken the Three Rivers School District board has distracted mem- bers from their real work for over a year. Here are some real issues I think the school board should be address- ing instead: Class Size Reduction: When class sizes get too big, student learn- ing suffers. Every avenue should be explored for reducing the number of students each teacher must instruct, document, and plan for in each class- room. The board should be strategiz- ing for how to accomplish this relief. Retention of Talent: Because TRSD’s budget has been constrained by lowered enrollment and reduced state payments, compensation of em- ployees is too low at almost all em- ployment levels. Not only do our per- sonnel deserve more, but the district risks the loss of experienced staff as they seek better compensation else- where. The board should be working to identify solutions to this problem. Transportation Costs: TRSD is geographically huge, and the cost of transportation is crippling. Rearrang- ing busing schedules may offer some relief, but the board should be mak- ing efforts to change the compensa- tion structure at the state level. Facilities: Our buildings are aging and major renovations or re- builds will be required. The board should be working towards identify- ing these needs and securing bonds for funding. Tragically, this board has dramatically undermined community confidence, making public support unlikely. Waste Water Treatment: When schools were built in the 1970’s, Jo- sephine County’s infrastructure could not support their waste water, and several schools had to supply their own treatment capacity, most notably in the north valley areas. Now those treatment plants are aging out of use. Fortunately, the county is ready to pursue infrastructure development using state and federal grants (for which school districts are ineligible.) Now is the time for TRSD to be at the table working to move its waste wa- ter treatment needs over to systems to be built by the government. Alarm- ingly, several TRSD board members actually think the district could make money from waste water treatment (which might make us the first ones ever to do so.) Efforts to shift this bur- den off the schools are being blocked. It is my belief that part of the moti- vation for this ill-advised position is an attempt to micromanage the dis- trict maintenance department for the specific benefit of a personal friend of a board member. Although I have no written proof of this suspicion, I strongly encourage public investiga- tion into the matter. The district does not belong in the waste water treat- ment business; it is not about teach- ing and learning and does not belong in our business plan. Now is the time to get out. Literacy Plans: When students cannot read well, they cannot learn. The board should be looking at poli- cies and strategies that strongly sup- port early literacy and intervention where difficulties exist. There has been little to no discussion of this, the most basic work of a school board. Digital Literacy Skills: As we move into the digital age, students must learn how to do research us- ing online resources. (Just because kids know better than adults how to use electronic devices does not mean they are using them well or wisely.) Comprehensive strategies for how to incorporate modern tools into both teaching and learning is the work of the school board. It is not being done. Public Relations: Our school district has wonderful students and staff, doing many things brilliantly. The board should be helping publi- cize the successes and inviting local businesses and organizations to par- ticipate in our children’s success. Communication: There is no central district events calendar and school calendars are often poorly up- dated. This is because staff lacks the capacity for one more thing. It should be addressed at the district level, with strategic and IT support for each school, so that students, staff, parents, Reader touts expansion As a local business leader representing over 50 businesses here in the Illinois Valley, we want to express our thanks to Rep. Peter DeFazio and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley for their continued support for the Oregon Caves National Monument Expansion bill (S354) and their continued work to see this through. They and the rest of America under- stand the importance of this economic engine that this provides to both gateway communities and the surrounding regional economies. Additionally, this also protects the Lake Creek watershed above the caves and gives us the opportunity to showcase to the world a nationally outstanding glacial cirque known as the Bigelow Lakes Basin and the cave network itself which is found to be more extensive than what the original 480 acre monument could protect for our visiting public. Thank you all! Greg Walter Jefferson State Financial Group Free your self from pesticides If you’re concerned about the threat GMOs pose to our Food, Farms and Future, con- sider what the toxic chemicals required to grow them, along with poisons sprayed throughout our county are doing. The Freedom from Pesti- cides Alliance (FPA) is taking the recent GMO ban to another level. FPA is wanting to stop the pesticides directly linked to GMOs and more. Truth is the same chemicals from the same chemical companies are causing harm not just to our food and farms but our air, water soil and bodies. Chemicals such as Glyphosate/Round- up, Atrazine and 2,4-D are all sprayed within Josephine County by both Corporate and Gov- ernmental entities, exposing citizens to chemi- cal trespass year after year. Their ‘fast, cheap and easy’ method of killing pests is threatening the health of our county. Join the FPA effort to put this issue on No- vember’s ballot. Sign the Freedom from Pesti- cides Bill of Rights initiative petition at the fol- and community members can eas- ily find information about all school events and initiatives. The board must indicate that this is a priority and di- rect personnel to pursue it, as well as provide the capacity (funding,) for the work to take place. Increasing Vocational Opportu- nities: Not every child aspires to an academic future, but even those who do will benefit from well-rounded ex- periences. The shift away from voca- tional skills training we saw in past de- cades has had poor results. The board should be working to identify grants for innovative programs preparing our kids for success in the trades, as well as helping our academically gift- ed students become capable of build- ing and fixing things. STEM classes and trades preparation will make our kids far more employable. We should be pursuing robust partnerships with workforce development agencies and private enterprise to strengthen what we offer our students. Trust Building: Alas, we are cur- rently doing the opposite! Our school board should be working strategically to help build trust, engagement, and buy-in at every level of our district. Strategic Planning: The board should be identifying priorities and creating work plans to achieve dis- trict goals. There is currently little agreement and no road map to get the district to a better place. Empowerment: TRSD enjoys a lowing locations: The Herb Shop , Grants Pass, The Grants Pass Growers Market FPA Booth, Diggin Livin Farm & Apiary and The Farmers Market- Cave Junction. Audrey Moore Selma Political science questioned The huge loss of honey bees the last few years has been of immense interest to me. Un- til I Read Bennie Fishal’s letter (25 June) I’ve not read anything that stated the cause or causes of same. He named six different ingredients of insecticides responsible. Two days later, that ‘other’ paper had an article saying Oregon has ‘temporarily’ restricted use of two of these. Why not all six? I’ve had several science classes, and the hard sciences (not political science where the EPA facts are found) always base statements on facts leading to the Scientific Method where these facts can be proven . tremendously skilled staff of profes- sionals. The school board should be working to recognize our exceptional- ly talented people and allowing them to do their jobs unimpeded. Unfortu- nately, there is a history of microman- agement from the board which under- mines morale, blocks productivity, and creates fear. I would like to see a board that recognizes excellence and lets people do their jobs. Board Learning: Each and ev- ery board member should be aware of current educational policies, key leg- islation, and the roles and activities of major people in education at the state and federal levels. This requires a commitment to broad reading and a willingness to learn things outside the bubble of one’s own confirmation bias. An effective board member must be willing to learn a great deal before making decisions, NOT arrive with a petty agenda. This board seems to lack an interest in the broader issues and policies facing educators today. Other Issues: I am personally interested in funding art and music programs, developing our neglected school libraries, and improving our school food plans, but none of these things has had strong attention despite their importance, because the board is so deeply divided and distracted. Kate Dwyer TRSD Board, Zone 1 I see areas where all kinds of anecdotal ‘evidence’ is offered, like man caused global cooling/global warming/climate change crowd that say the polar bears are disappearing (they are not) or that carbon from man is the cause (it doesn’t) or pets refusing to eat certain GMO foods, but I’ve seen no studies proving any of these arguments. I don’t consider having a friend or relative die in the last 10 yrs proof of anything except I’m getting old. I’m ready to learn, but I learn from facts, not scary stories. Bennie do you have some facts to help me save honey bees and butterflies? Let’s get those facts into the classrooms so out children learn from the Scientific Method, not propagandized by political science. Greg Anderson CJ Obituaries Austin Lee Reyn- olds , infant son of Clifton Reynolds & Brenna Janoski, died Friday, June 27, 2014 at Three Rivers Medical Center. Family services are planned. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of ar- rangements. Please sign the fam- ily guest book at www.since- 1928hull.com. Austin was born June 27, 2014 in Grants Pass at Three Rivers Family Birth Center. Survivors include his parents, Clifton Reynolds & Brenna Janoski; maternal grandparents, Kevin & Julie Janoski of Cave Junction; pa- ternal grandparents, Terrel Lee Reynolds of Cave Junction and Irene Guerrero of Cave Junc- tion; maternal great-grand- parents, Pat Janoski of Reno, Nevada and Genie Carwitz of Cave Junction; paternal great- grandparents, Daniel & Iris Clark of Cave Junction and paternal great-grandmothers, Grandma Clark and Grandma Luna. Russell Richard “Rusty” Brummett, age 42, of Cave Junction, died Friday, June 20, 2014, in Cave Junction. A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 5, 2014, at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Cave Junction with Pastor Charles Chase officiating. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements. Rusty was born October 2, 1971 in Long Beach, Cali- fornia and had lived in the Il- linois Valley since age two. He was a member of Immanuel United Methodist Church since the age of 13. His hobbies included camping, hunting, fishing, cut- ting firewood, spending time with his friends, and helping those less fortunate. Survivors include two daughters, Brittanie O’Grady and Skylie Brummett both of Grants Pass; a son, Tyi Brum- mett of Cave Junction; his mother, Karen Thomas Brue of Cave Junction; two sisters, Lona Gutierrez of Grants Pass and Robin Paulson of Cave Junction; and two grandchil- dren. Mary Marie (Par- mley) Layman, 68 of Cave Junction passed away Sunday, June 22, 2014 at her residence in Cave Junction. A public viewing will be- gin at noon on Saturday, June 28th at Stephens Family Cha- pel. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Laurel Cemetery in Cave Junction. For online condolences and tributes please visit ste- phensfc.com. Arrangements by Ste- phens Family Chapel, Grants Pass, Oregon. Mary was born on June 22, 1946 in Santa Rosa, Calif. to Clifford and Mary Parmley. She spent most of her child- hood there and graduated from Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa, Calif.. She mar- ried Fred David Layman Sr. on June 26, 1966 in Reno, Nev. and they moved to Grants Pass. Mary had 3 children in Grants Pass and then moved to Cave Junction in 1974 where she raised her family and spent her remaining years. She was a housewife to Fred and enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, bingo, rock hunting, crocheting and sew- ing. Survivors include her husband, Fred David Layman Sr. of Cave Junction; daugh- ters, Sandra Lee Gonzales of Grants Pass and Kandy Lynn Layman of Grants Pass; son, Freddie David Layman Jr. of Cave Junction; 14 grandchil- dren and 3 great-grandchil- dren. She was preceded in death by her father, Clifford Andrew Parmley of Santa Rosa, Calif. on October 29, 1975, her mother, Mary Claire Parmley-Higgins of Santa Rosa, Calif. on October 26, 1993 and brother, Robert An- drew Parmley of Santa Rosa, Calif. on August 27, 2009 I llInoIs V alley F uneral D Irectors www.since1928Hull.com Save July The Date 4, 5 & 6 Reunion Mania, Various loca- tions around the Valley. Check this week’s paper for details on your class. July 6 The third annual Ice Cream So- cial will take place at Kerbyville Mu- seum Sunday, July 6 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Live music will be provided by Dale and Sherry Hopper and the $5 charge will include a complimentary tour of the museum grounds and ex- hibits. Call 541-592-5252 for further information. Illinois Valley News Published weekly by W.H. Alltheway, LLC Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher For more listings go to www.ivcalendar.org July 12 The Kerby Museum and His- tory Center present: A World War II Era Canteen and Dance, All Veter- ans in attendance will be recognized and honored! Dance to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Doris Day, The An- drews Sisters, Bing Crosby and many more! Illinois Valley Senior Center, 520 E. River St. Cave Junction 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. $8 per person, $15 per couple. Refreshments will be available! July 20 The Rusk Ranch Nature Center will offer a free Nature & Art Festi- address changes to P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction OR 97523 Illinois Valley News is published at 221 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523 Telephone (541) 592-2541 FAX (541) 592-4330 Since 1937 periodicals postage paid at Cave Junction OR 97523 P.O. Box 1370 USPS 258-820 SUBSCRIPTION RATES POSTMASTER: Please send 541-592-4110 One year in Josephine blogspot.com or call 707-720-9379 and leave a message. Held on the same weekend as “It’s the Berries” at the RCC/Belt Building, 24353 Red- wood Hwy Kerby, OR val, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 20. There will be a juried Fantasy Recycled fashion show among other events, vendor booth space is $20. For further information, call 541- 592-4444. Reservation Deadline is August 12, 2014. Last day for refunds is Au- gust 14, 2014. Contact Hazel Griffith 541-592- 6433 Or Jean Shubert 541-592-6150 Aug. 16 Ongoing Aug. 16 Join us along the 80 mile stretch of US Highway 199, from Highway 101 to I-5, featuring yard sales and special events on the third weekend in August, 2014. There’s no charge to participate, just set up your yard sale in a safe place! For more information, go to our blog at http://hwy199yardsale. Healing Hearts and Hooves, therapeutic horseback riding program has begun our 2014 season. Sunday classes at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. @ 4411 Holland Loop Drive, Cave Junction. Call 541-659- 1798 or 541-596-2272 for volunteer or student information. It’s The Berries: Saturday, Au- gust 16, 2014 ~ 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are now accepting applications for vendors inside and outside. Outdoor spaces must bring your own tables. $20 with a $5 refund for a cleaned space. RCC/Belt Building 24353 Red- wood Highway, Kerby, OR County - $30.50 One year in Jackson and Douglas counties - $32.50 One year in all other Oregon counties and out-of-state - $39.00 Dan Mancuso dan@illinois-valley-news.com Mailroom - Millie Watkins Office Manager-Laura Mancuso laura@illinois-valley-news.com Illinois Valley News does not refund subscriptions. Remainder of subscription will be donated to the charity of your choice. News - Dan Mancuso dan@illinois-valley-news.com Circulation - Kimberly Potter office@illinois-valley-news.com Advertising / Composition 4 P.M. FRIDAYS DEADLINES: News, Classified and Display Ads, Announce- ments and Letters POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ encour- ages letters to the editor pro- vided they are legible and not libelous or scurrilous. All let- ters must be signed, including name, address and telephone number. The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity. The ‘News’ reserves the right to edit letters. Letters are used at the discre- tion of the publisher.
