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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 2021)
JANUARY 29, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3 School board adds student advisor, GRASSROOTS GOVERNMENT reviews improved graduation rates BY MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes Before going over 2020 dis- trict graduation rates, which were released last week, the Sa- lem-Keizer school board voted to appoint McKay High School senior Leanette Mabinton as the fi rst ever student advisor to the school board at the meeting of directors on Tuesday, Jan. 26. “The caliber of Salem-Keiz- er students who applied for the student advisor position to the board made our decision very hard,” said school board chair Satya Chandragiri. “Leanette will be an excellent represen- tative for all students and her election was a historic moment for our board, adding the im- portant addition of student voice. Student input is invalu- able and Leanette will help our board to advance the important equity work we do for the dis- trict.” A Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) student advi- sor will be appointed to the board on an annual basis each year — although they will serve as a non-voting member of the board. A student must have one year of experience on the district-led student equity committee/student advisory committee in order to be con- sidered for the role. “I’ve been in SKPS since third grade, so I feel like my own personal experiences and the clubs that I involve myself with will help me to reach out to all students and bring the knowledge I can gain from them and bring it to the school board,” Mabinton said. “I am so humbled and so honored to serve.” Mabinton will serve as a student advisor for the next six months, before graduating in June. “Leanette has been a long- time advocate for students in Salem-Keizer,” said Superin- tendent Christy Perry. “She actively participates in numer- ous advisory committees for our district and I am confi dent she will bring a well-rounded and critical perspective into the board room.” Later in the meeting, as- sistant superintendent Iton Udosenata provided the board with graduation data from the 2019-20 school year. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, the district increased their four-year graduation rate to 81%, a 2% raise from the previous year. Graduation rates for Black and African-Ameri- can students in the district in- creased over three percentage points from the previous year, while rates from Hispanic or Latinx students increased by nearly 2%. Students with disabilities graduated at a 67.26% rate, which is an increase of nearly 5% from the previous year. Each high school in the district, with the exception of Roberts High, achieved a grad- uate rate of over 80% — Mc- Nary, South Salem, Sprague and West Salem were all over 90%. “We really are pleased with the trajectory of our achieve- ment and getting kids across the fi nish line,” Udosenata said. Tax fi ling start delayed until Feb. 12 The Internal Revenue Service announced fi ling for most taxpayers will begin on Friday, Feb. 12, rather Jan. 31. IRS personnel need addi- tional time to time to pro- gram and test IRS systems following tax law changes ap- proved by the U.S. Congress in December that provided a second round of Economic Impact Payments and other benefi ts. The changes ensure that el- igible people will receive any remaining stimulus money as a Recovery Rebate Credit when they fi le their 2020 tax return. People can begin fi ling their tax returns immediately with tax software companies, including IRS Free File part- ners, and the returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting Feb. 12. The deadline for fi ling will remain April 15. Overall, the IRS anticipates nine out of 10 taxpayers will receive their refund within 21 days of when they fi le elec- tronically with direct deposit. The IRS urges taxpayers and tax professionals to fi le elec- tronically. Although tax seasons fre- quently begin in late January, there have been fi ve instances since 2007 when fi ling seasons did not start for some taxpay- ers until February due to tax law changes made just before the start of tax time. The Keizer Parks Advisory Board had its most recent meeting Tuesday, Jan. 12. Here’s what was discussed: • The replacement of a play structure at Claggett Creek Park is delayed un- til at least April. Before in- stalling the equipment, the contractor needs to install a pour-in-place, fall pro- tection surface. By the time that portion of the project was set to proceed there were no tents available that would provide adequate cover from the weather. Businesses had scooped up all the tents to offer outside dining. • The request for propos- al for new management at Keizer Little League Park is expected to be released soon. The city is looking for an entity that can operate the park for youth leagues and attract outside tourna- ments to bolster revenue. • McNary Youth Base- ball is seeking to use fi elds at Keizer Rapids Park and have the city waive the as- sociated fees. • A recent survey of res- idents on local parks and what they would like to see in a recreation program garnered more than 1,700 responses. The consultant on the study hoped for 400 to establish an adequate sample of the Keizer pop- ulation. The Keizer Parks Advisory Board had its most recent meeting Tuesday, Jan. 12. Here’s what was discussed: • Committee members are investigating the possi- bility of conducting a traf- fi c safety survey, similar to recent surveys in regard to city parks. Chair Mike De Blasi is advocating for a res- ident survey as a way to get a clearer picture of where residents perceive traffi c safety concerns or risks. De Blasi hopes it would give all residents a more transparent and compre- hensive look at how the city prioritizes traffi c concerns. Some committee mem- bers voiced concerns about overlapping with planned studies, which led to a dis- cussion of why the commit- tee was not being included in a planned update of the Transportation Safety Plan. City Councilor Ross Day, the council liaison to the committee, said he would make the topic a pri- ority at an upcoming city council meeting. “We’re planning on tack- ling the TSP in the next 2-3 years, and I think it would be wise for the council to engage this committee on that issue.” De Blasi asked the com- mittee members to return next month with questions they would like to see on a survey. puzzle answers Sam Goesch Ins Agcy Inc Sam Goesch CLU, Agent 3975 River Road North Keizer, OR 97303 Bus: 503-393-6252 K E I Z E R T I M E S SE NIOR HOUSING G U I D E State Farm , Bloomington, IL 1211999 Emerald Pointe DIRECTIONS FROM KEIZER: On River Road, one-half mile north of McNary Estates. 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UNIT TYPES: • independent living includ. studio and 1-bedroom apartments, 2-bedroom cottages MONTHLY RENT: starting at $1,768 ASSISTED LIVING AVAILABILTY: yes AMENITIES: • Not-for-profi t, Christian community serving all faiths • Pets allowed • No Extra Charge for a 2nd person • 24-hour nurse on staff for emergency response • 3-delicious homecooked meals daily • Van service for shopping & medical appts • Housekeeping • Great Social Activities • Church Services 7693 Wheatland Rd N, Keizer, OR 97303 • 503-393-1491 • www.willamettelutheran.com • e-mail: kay@willamettelutheran.com DIRECTIONS FROM KEIZER: From I-5, turn west on Lockhaven. Turn left at River Rd, then left on Claggett St. Immediately turn in driveway at left. UNIT TYPES: • independent living apts • assisted living apts • rehabilitation, skilled nursing & long term care beds MONTHLY RENT: starting at $1 ,837 ASSISTED LIVING AVAILABILTY: yes AMENITIES: • Beautiful 5-acre campus • Family-like culture • Continuum of care to meet all your loved one’s needs • Quality lifestyle for active seniors • Our assisted living is 9 years defi ciency-free • WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. WE ARE FAMILY. 5210 River Rd N, Keizer, OR 97303 • PH: 503-393-3624 x340 • CELL: 971-599-9484 • www.avamerecourtatkeizer.com DIRECTIONS FROM KEIZER: On River Road, one-half mile north of McNary Estates. Right on McGee Ct, take second driveway on left. UNIT TYPES: • Assisted Living • Memory Care MONTHLY RENT: starting at $2,855 ASSISTED LIVING AVAILABILITY: Yes AMENITIES: • Individualized Care Plans • State-of-the-art theater • Raised garden beds • All day fresh gourmet dining • Life enriching, meaningful, stimulating activities • Resident created activity calendar • Courtyard walking path • More staff on hand 24/7 than other local facilities • Private & semi-private Memory Care apartments 1165 McGee Court NE, Keizer, OR 97303 • 503-390 -1300 • www.VillageAtKeizerRidge.com
