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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 2019)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL • SN for OCTOBER 2019 3C SLSD board, OSBA seek input on search for new school district superintendent By Damien Sherwood dsherwood@cgsentinel.com South Lane School Dis- trict’s search for a new super- intendent has begun and com- munity input is being solicited as part of the process. School board members, staff and community mem- bers gathered at the Cottage Grove High School Oct. 8 for a community input session fa- cilitated by the Oregon School Board Association’s (OSBA) Director of Board Develop- ment Steve Kelley. The superintendent position will be vacated June 2020 by Larry Sullivan, who was ini- tially named to the position as an interim superintendent May 2018 after his predecessor, Krista Parent, was ousted by the school board amid miscon- duct allegations and a scandal involving a workplace affair. The Oregon Teacher Stan- dards and Practices Commis- sion later dismissed the mis- conduct allegations against Parent. In the coming search pro- cess, key priorities and stan- dards for a new superintendent will be identifi ed by commu- nity members and a screening committee. “That becomes the lens by which your school board will look through the entire pro- cess,” Kelley said. “That’s what we will look at the ap- plications through. That’s how we’ll develop the interview questions. That’s how we’ll judge the answers.” Kelley elicited ideas from the audience during the night’s session, asking for opinions about community and school district strengths and challeng- es. Audience comments on strengths revolved around Cottage Grove characteristics such as its rural atmosphere, its level of cooperation, wel- coming nature, a sense of its own identity and the longevity of stay of its long-term citi- zens. Kelley articulated his own personal impressions of the town as well. “I’ve gained an appreciation for your small-town feel — your ruralness, if you will,” he said. Community member Jimmy Schaper added, “We are a mi- cropolitan. We are the obverse of Portland.” In discussing challenges, participants brought up the level of poverty in the area, graduation rates, academic performances, a high turnover rate of district staff and a lack of funding for educational as- sistance in the school district. Kelley also facilitated a dis- cussion about the qualities and qualifi cations the audience would like to see in a new su- perintendent. Among the many ideas, au- dience members expressed a desire for someone who is col- laborative with the community and staff, creative, passionate about their job, open to oth- er opinions, hands-on, trans- parent and views the district through a lens of equity. The session also outlined a timeline for the search pro- cess, which is expected to be completed next March. For the time being, commu- nity members are encouraged to take part in an online survey available on the South Lane School District’s homepage. The survey will be available online until Oct. 22. On Nov. 4, a selection pro- cess will begin for a poten- tial screening committee, who will receive training and present superintendent candi- date recommendations to the school board in January. Final interviews are expected to be held in March and the new su- perintendent will begin work July 1. The selection of a new su- perintendent will mark the fi rst time the role will be fi lled in a long-term capacity since Parent’s vacancy. The online survey can be found at www.slane.k12.or.us. October Students of the Month BOHEMIA SUNRISERS KIWANIS CLUB OF COTTAGE GROVE The Bohemia Sunrisers Kiwanis Club of Cottage Grove has hon- ored Cottage Grove High School seniors, Reba Bradsby and Justin Francis, as Students of the Month for October. Reba has served four years on student council and completed mission trips to China, Washington, DC, and New York. She credits her plans to pursue teaching at Western Oregon University to a special connection with her teachers. Justin is an out- door enthusiast who works with the Youth Conservation Crew, acts as a lifeguard, and is an outdoor counselor. He also competes on the Varsity cross country team. After high school he plans to pursue a nurs- ing degree at Western Oregon University. Cottage Grove Sentinel 116 N. 6th . PO Box 35, Cottage Grove, OR 541-942-3325 • cgsentinel.com YONCALLA LINCOLN MIDDLE MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOOL PAIGE RILEY Paige was nominated because she is the model of a good student. She is quiet, atten- tive, and dependable. She knows that getting better at something takes hard work, and when she wants to im- prove, she puts in the work to make that happen. Future Goals: In the future, Paige plans to join Job Corps and become a CNA. Hobbies: Paige loves playing the fl ute and piccolo and she loves to read and draw. Parents Rebecca Agee and James Crain MARIAH BAILEY Mariah Bailey is a dedicat- ed 6th grade student. When she needs notes, she comes in for help on her own. If she is not quite solid on a concept, Mariah seeks help to make sure she understands. She is a positive infl uence in class and gracefully handles dif- fi cult situations. Mariah is a hardworking member of the LMS Concert Choir, and she also participates in musical theater at the Cottage Theatre and The Shedd in Eugene. She is already proving herself to be a dedicated musician and great leader! KAYLA Kayla has done an awe- some job this year in 4 th grade! She has been a model student who sets a positive example for her peers. Kayla’s hard work and consistency shines in the classroom and she always has a smile on her face. She even helps the K/1 get to the buses at the end of the day so that they can learn from the great example that she sets for them. Great job Kayla, you deserve it! STARFIRE Cottage Covered Grove Sentinel Stacy’s Bridge 116 N. 6th . PO Box 35, Cottage Grove, OR 401 541-942-3325 Main St, CG 541-767-0320 • cgsentinel.com DORENA ELEMENTARY 2795 MOSBY CREEK RD, COTTAGE GROVE 2775 Row River Rd • 541-942-4415 bradschevy.com (541) 942-0168 WWW.STARFIRELUMBER.COM COTTAGE GROVE NORTH DOUGLAS NORTH DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL KASSITY HANKS CAVE Cottage Grove High School nominates Kassity Hanks Cave for student of the month. This summer Kassity attended the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston, Massachu- setts. Kassity was able to inter- act with prestigious physicians and world renown individuals. This experience has strength- ened her determination for a career in the medical fi eld. Congratulations Kassity for being a great ambassador for Cottage Grove! Natalie Draeger, North Douglas High School, Senior. Natalie is an hon- or roll student, enrolled in college classes, and the Student Body Trea- surer. She is involved in FBLA, National Honor Society, Unifi ed Club, and plays varsity volley- ball & softball. NATALIE DRAEGER South Lane County Fire & Rescue 233 Harrison Ave • 541-942-4439 southlanefi re.org North Douglas Fire & Rescue 531 South Cedar St. Drain, OR 97435 The North Douglas Mid- dle School would like to nominate 6 th grader Graywin Ehrike for Student of the Month. Graywin works hard in class, asks questions, is interested in learning, kind of everyone, has integrity, and is a self- manager. GRAYWIN EHRIKE North Douglas Fire & Rescue 531 South Cedar St. Drain, OR 97435
