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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 25, 2022)
FEBRUARY 25, 2022, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3 It’s almost time... Egan Gardens opens for a new season on March 4th. Watch for your pansy coupon in next week’s ad. See you then! Congress in several pack- ages, was intended to help cover pandemic-re- ... it's a situation that the lated school expenses superintendent needs to like air filters or internet be cautious of because hotspots, and to help kids catch up academically. you have to have money Bethell, director of to pay for teachers Zone 6, said that the dis- trict wouldn’t be break- and staff but to what ing any laws by making expense? masks optional before March 31. “There’s a threat from the state currently that if — DANIELLE BETHELL you don’t follow the laws, Salem-Keizer School Board member their funding would be revoked. They're not in violation of any federal those dollars to the school, some would state or law, it’s just a rule,” said Bethell. say kids wouldn’t have access to certain “It’s a threat and it’s a situation that the things. But I disagree. I believe that we superintendent needs to be cautious live in a very comfortable community of because you have to have money to that provides access to kids in need.” pay for teachers and staff but to what The Salem-Keizer School District expense? Whose lives are we really expects to receive $140 million in federal impacting overall in mental health and COVID relief funds through September all the way around?” 2023, distributed by the state education Jonathan Modie, spokesperson for department. That money, approved by the Oregon Health Authority, said the district would be breaking the law by making masks optional before March 31 and would be subject to a civil pen- alty of $500 per day per violation. “They would be breaking the law, and no, there are no loopholes,” Modie said in an email. “Our recommendation is that schools do the right thing for the safety and health of their students, teachers, staff, families and communi- ties and just wait until the mask require- ment for schools lifts on March 31.” NEWS TIPS? During a phone interview on Feb. 18, school board chair Osvaldo Avila echoed what Superintendent Christy Perry has said at previous school board meetings. “Our superintendent has provided and laid out the steps for us to make a decision. We are awaiting additional guidance from the Oregon Health Authority and we will then make an informed decision on what we will do after March 31,” Avila said. If it's happening in Keizer, or to someone from Keizer — WE WANT TO KNOW. kt@keizertimes.com Cat of the Week Name: MAJOR SASSY Age: 1 HISTORY: 1-year-old male short hair tabby PREFERRED HOME: Friendly super sweet, purrs a lot. Gets along well with other cats. WE HAVE MOVED >>> Our new location is 4157 Cherry Avenue, Keizer <<< 503-362-5611 The rally drew hundreds of parents and students from across the district. Photo by MATT RAWLINGS of Keizertimes WHEATLAND PUBLISHING CORP. 142 Chemawa Road N, Keizer, Oregon 97303 Phone: 503.390.1051 • www.keizertimes.com PUBLISHER & EDITOR Lyndon Zaitz publisher@keizertimes.com ADVERTISING Robin Barneuy advertising@keizertimes.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Matt Rawlings news@keizertimes.com PRODUCTION MANAGER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Logan Turbes graphics@keizertimes.com REPORTER Joey Cappelletti editor@keizertimes.com COMMUNITY REPORTER Bee Flint reporter@keizertimes.com LEGAL NOTICES legals@keizertimes.com BUSINESS DESK Christine Baker billing@keizertimes.com RECEPTION/ SUBSRIPTIONS Michelle Litsey subs@keizertimes.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook Instagram Twitter NEW DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICING: $5 per month, $60 per year YEARLY PRINT SUBSCRIPTION PRICING: $35 inside Marion County $43 outside Marion County $55 outside Oregon PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY Publication No: USPS 679-430 POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Keizertimes Circulation 142 Chemawa Road N. Keizer, OR 97303 Periodical postage paid at Salem, Oregon