COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL FEBRUARY 1, 2017
3A
South Lane School District tops graduation rate list
South Lane School District high schools are
graduating 93.62 percent of its students.
This, according to the latest data from the U.S.
Department of Education. The rate is the best in
all of Lane County and third in the state overall.
The district also scored a .88 percent drop-out
rate, bested only by Thurston which reported a .73
percent drop-out rate.
"We're very excited," said South Lane School
District Superintendant Krista Parent. "We're very
proud. We think that, ok so why are we able to
keep our graduation rates looking that good?
The recognition is nothing new for South Lane.
Two of the last three years have seen the school
district in the top position for Lane County but
that hasn’t always been the case.
Twelve years ago, South Lane School District
routinely came in at the bottom of the graduation
list. since then, changes to the classes helped el-
evated the school. Parent highlighted the contrib-
uting factors to the high graduation rate in South
Lane noting the district’s dedication to extra-cur-
ricular activities and a wide variety of classes.
"You know, I can't prove this but I have some
idea about what's working," she said. "One is,
we've been able to keep a very diverse offering
of courses and programs at the high school level
because one size doesn't fi t all and the more things
we can offer the better chance we have of hooking
kids and kids wanting to be at school."
South Lane’s standing is a bright spot in a dark
picture the report painted for the state as a whole.
Oregon was ranked as the third lowest gradua-
tion rate in the country with 74.83 percent of its
students managing to earn a diploma. Alaska im-
proved its graduation rate from last year, pushing
Oregon further down the list with only New Mex-
ico and Nevada between the state and last place.
Iowa and New Jersey topped the rankings with
graduation rates of 91 and 90.
Local groups tied to Measure 98, a measure ap-
proved by voters in November that aimed to im-
prove the graduation rate, spoke out on the new
numbers.
“Our appallingly low graduation rates are a cri-
sis, and this problem isn’t going to solve itself,”
said Toya Fick, executive director of Stand for
Children, an education advocacy organization.
“An incremental solution isn’t enough because a
one percent improvement a year still leaves thou-
sands of kids without the knowledge and skills to
be successful. Oregon’s slow rate of improvement
underscores the need for Measure 98.”
While SLSD is proud of its new distinction, it
remains dedicated to reaching a higher percent-
age each year with Parent noting, “Cottage Grove
High School staff works hard to ensure that our
students are successful and having over 93 per-
cent of our seniors graduate is fantastic, but we
won’t be satisfi ed until 100 percent of them walk
across that stage to receive their diploma.”
South Lane School District came in fi rst in regards to graduation rates in Lane Coun-
ty and third best in the state overall.
Creswell administrators resign
Calls for disciplinary actions grew after scandal hit
Two school administrators are out of a job after being caught making inappropriate com-
ments about students.
Creswell High School Principal Andy Bracco and fellow Creswell administrator Jordan Os-
born have resigned after nearly a week of complaints from parents and media attention after
the men were discovered to have sent text messages making light of a female student's weight
and insinuating that a separate student was using drugs.
"She's 5'2" 257 pounds," one text read.
"Where's Emma joy?" another asked.
The response? "Snorting coke."
Both administrators were not put on paid leave until several days after the incident became
public. They resigned on Jan. 28.
"There is no tolerance for making inappropriate comments about kids, ever, or anybody for
that matter," said South Lane School District Superintendant Krista Parent. "But I would also
say that administrators are human beings too and you know, we make mistakes and I happen
to know both of those administrators and I don't think they're bad people and I think they work
hard and I think it's unfortunate for everybody." She added that South Lane School District has
strict policies in place to navigate such situations.
The policy in Creswell was unclear after both administrators were reportedly back to work
between the incident becoming public and being placed on leave days later.
In a letter to the community, Superintendent Todd Hamilton said, "I am putting together a
plan to provide administrative leadership at CHS for the remainder of the school year. In the
short-term, former Creswell teacher and retired administrator Marcy Rice will step in as prin-
cipal. Marcy spent many years as a highly-regarded educator in Creswell before retiring as an
administrator in Bethel School District."
2017
Cottage Theatre presents
A fantastical high-seas adventure to Neverland
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HOURS:
T HURSDAY , F RIDAY & S ATURDAY
10 AM -4 PM
For Drop-off appointments,
after hours, call the offi ce
We need volunteers for the
ReStore ~ a few hours
each month! Will you help?
Habitat Offi ce and Warehouse
2155 Getty Circle ~ Unit #1
in the Cottage Grove Industrial Park
South on Hwy 99 past the High School
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E!
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L
WE
A Play by Rick Elice • Based on the Novel by Dave Barry and
Ridley Pearson • Music by Wayne Barker Directed by Tony Rust
February 3–19
Fun for the whole family!
Sponsored by:
Call 541.767.0358
for more information
Email
info@habitatcg.org
Tickets available online, by phone, or at the door one hour before performance
Thursday−Saturday 8:00 pm; Sunday 2:30 pm. $25 Adult, $15 Youth (age 6−18)
With an extra 2:30 pm Saturday matinee on February 18
541-942-8001 • 700 Village Drive • Cottage Grove
www.cottagetheatre.org