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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 31, 2018)
FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, January 31, 2018 Morrow County superintendent evaluates graduation rate The Oregon Depart- ment of Education (ODE) recently released high school graduation rates for schools statewide. Stu- dents in the Morrow County School District who grad- uated in the 2016-2017 school year have a four-year cohort rate of 77.84 percent. The four-year cohort rate means students who earned their diplomas within four years of high school. For the three high schools in the Morrow County School District, Boardman, Hep- pner and Irrigon, there were a total of 194 students in the four-year cohort. Oregon’s statewide graduation rate is 76.65 percent. Superintendent of Mor- row County School District, Dirk Dirksen, provided some calculations regarding the class of 2017 gradu- ates and those who did not graduate in the four-year timeframe. Of the 194 four-year cohort students, there were 41 non-graduates in the group. Of those: -Three students re- ceived a GED. -14 have returned to the school district and are on track to graduate or receive a GED this school year. -Three students’ re- cords were not received from another school district in time to be removed from the MCSD graduation list. This leaves 21 non- graduates. Based on those facts and figures, Dirksen said, he calculates the dis- trict’s graduation rate as 89.18 percent. Of those 21: -Eight of those students moved out of state and the MCSD never received a re- cords request from another district. In this instance, schools in Oregon must take responsibility for those students not graduating. In other words, those stu- dents are counted as non- graduates on the Morrow County School District’s rate, although maybe these students did graduate else- where. -This leaves 13 stu- dents. Dirksen said that in his opinion, these are the students the district was not able to help graduate in four years, which is still too many students. Considering those fig- ures, 89.17 percent of the students in the 2016-17 school year either gradu- ated, received a GED, re- enrolled or transferred to another school. “We are always striving for a 100 percent graduation rate, but 89 percent is certainly not the 77.84 percent that the state has us report,” Dirksen said. In nationwide gradua- tion rates, Oregon usually ranks at the very bottom or close to it. Dirksen believes that comparisons between Oregon and other states are not always accurate – the way rates are calculated and reported vary greatly by state and may not be comparing the same things. “I truly believe that what I have depicted about MCSD is a sample of what happens across the state of Oregon regarding graduation rates. When looked at carefully and individually by district, our graduation rates are not the last in the nation, but our state report makes it look like we are,” Dirksen said. Dirksen said that as long as there is one student that his district can support in receiving a diploma or a GED, they will. “My belief is that if a student needs more time to accomplish the task, and they are able to receive their diploma or GED in five or six years, the state should report that and recognize that as the re- sponsibility of the district.” Morrow County School District’s completer rate over the last 3 years, which includes diplomas and GEDs earned, has averaged 84.73 percent. Graduation rates for each district high school are Heppner Jr.-Sr. High School, 88 percent; Irrigon Jr.-Sr. High School, 80.26 percent and Riverside Jr.- Sr. High School, 86.08 percent Superintendent Dirksen reported that he is pleased with the district’s results and continued improve- ment. “We have put some energy and focus into sup- porting students towards graduation. We have been monitoring attendance and student progress, commu- nicating and supporting students so they stay on track to graduate. I am pleased and thankful for the relationships, support and dedication our teachers, counselors, administrators and wraparound support staff have displayed toward our students. I am also very appreciative of our students and families as we have all partnered to communicate, stay engaged and support one another so students in the Morrow County School District can be successful in meeting graduation goals,” Dirksen said. Conservation Stewardship Program available The Conservation Stewardship Program is now available to agricul- tural producers wanting to enhance current con- servation efforts. Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Re- sources Conservation Ser- vice (NRCS) helps private landowners build their busi- ness while implementing conservation practices that help ensure the sustainabil- ity of their entire operation. NRCS plans to enroll up to 10 million acres in CSP in 2018. The press release indi- cated that through this pro- gram, agricultural produc- ers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities like cover crops, ecologically-based pest management, buffer strips, and fish and wildlife habi- tat – all while maintaining active agriculture produc- tion on their land. CSP also encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and new management tech- niques such as precision agriculture applications, on-site carbon storage and planting for high carbon sequestration rate and new soil amendments to im- prove water quality. Some of the benefits of SWCD to hold work session The Morrow SWCD will hold a work session on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at noon in the Ag Service center con- ference room to update the long range plan, employee job descriptions and succes- sion planning. The work session will be followed by a regu- lar monthly meeting at 3 p.m. The meeting agenda ORDER EARLY! YOUR HEADQUARTERS VALENTINE'S DAY IS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14TH!! CALL OUR FLORAL DEPT TODAY 541-676-9158 HALLMARK - CHOCOLATE WINE - GIFTS - FLOWERS 2017 PRESCRIPTION PROFILES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST . See Pharmacist for more information 217 North Main St., Heppner • Phone 676-9158 • Floral 676-9426 ADVANTAGE DENTAL CLINICS includes minutes of the previous meeting, financial reports, partner reports, staff reports and a surplus property discussion. The Morrow SWCD meetings are open to the public. CSP include: -Improved cattle gains per acre; -Increased crop yields; -Decreased inputs; -Wildlife population improvements; and -Better resilience to weather extremes. According to the news release, NRCS recently made several updates to the program to help producers better evaluate their con- servation options and the benefits to their operations and natural resources. New methods and software for evaluating applications help producers see up front why they are or are not meeting stewardship thresholds, and allow them to pick prac- tices and enhancements that work for their conservation objectives. These tools also American Sign Language classes offered Lelia Workman will be conducting American Sign Language classes in Hep- pner at Sweet Productions Restaurant and Bakery. Classes are free, open to the public and all ages are welcome. Study materials, which will cost approxi- mately $15, are at attendees expense. The current session will start Jan. 30 and classes are offered every Tuesday and Thursday night from 6-7 p.m. for beginners and The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office has released the following information: January 3: Morrow stay away as there has been parked at the high school. County Sheriff ’s Office issues there. UEC will be A very younger gentleman received a report on Miller out today to disconnect at got out and walked inside. -MCSO received a re- Rd, Boardman that she about 1 p.m. and requests has been hearing car doors deputy presence in the area. port on SE Kristen Dr, opening and her dog has -MCSO received a re- Irrigon that a 79 year old been barking for the past port that Debra Jean Portillo female is bleeding from 15 minutes. RP advises she was arrested at UCJ for sores on her neck. Trans- believes it to be coming MCSO warrant. Subject is ported to GSH. -MCSO received a re- from the house across the lodged at UCJ with a bail port that RP found a driver’s street which is vacant. Un- of $25,000. able to locate. -MCSO received a re- license in the middle of the -MCSO received a re- port at Irrigon Elementary street in Heppner. -MCSO received a re- port on Hwy 207 Spray, School, SE Wyoming Ave, Heppner that there is a dead Irrigon that someone is port on SE Thirteenth Pl, deer on the side of the road stalking. Under investiga- Irrigon that someone has a gun at the location. before Willow Creek Rd. tion. Referred to other agency. -MCSO received a re- January 4: Morrow -MCSO received a re- port at Sergio’s Mexican County Sheriff ’s Office port on Depot Ln, Irrigon restaurant, E Hwy 730, received a report on W Wil- that last night someone took Irrigon of a found phone. low St, Heppner that his son out her fence line. Property was returned. has locked himself in the -MCSO received a -MCSO received a re- apartment and the landlord report on Wagon Wheel port at Irrigon High School wants him out. Owners Loop, Irrigon that UEC is on SE Wyoming Ave, Irri- were advised they need doing a pump house discon- gon that a white single cab to go through the eviction nect and they were told by Doge went to pass her and process to get him to leave the new property owner to another vehicle and almost the residence. hit the vehicle coming to- -MCSO received a re- wards them head on. RP port on Hwy 74, Heppner of advised the vehicle is now a white van on the shoulder The Advantage Dental Clinic has Re-opened in Heppner! DENTAL CLEANING with the purchase of new patient exam and necessary x-rays. DID YOU KNOW? GUM DISEASE • is linked to • HEART DISEASE every Wednesday night from 6-7 p.m. for level two. Visitors are welcome. For more information or to register for the classes, contact Jodi Segraves at Sweet Productions or call 541-626-1440. Sheriff’s Report Advantage Dental Group, PC FREE enable producers to see potential payment scenarios for conservation early in the process. While applications for CSP are accepted year round, applications must be received by Mar. 2 to be considered for this fund- ing period. For additional information contact the NRCS office at 541-676- 5021. The Neighborhood Center strives to end hunger in South Morrow County. Our programs assist the low income with monthly food boxes and emer- gency rent or utility assistance . * 797 food boxes were distributed to the low income residents of South Morrow County throughout 2017. * 20 families received emergency rent and or utility assistance. 143 N Main Street, Heppner, OR 888-468-0022 www.AdvantageDentalClinics.com Offer valid January 1, 2018 thru February 28, 2018. Offer cannot be combined. Additional restrictions may apply. Some level of treatment financing is avaliable to everyone. * 26 local families were blessed by community members with gifts from our Christmas "Giv- ing Tree" in December. The success of these programs was made possible by our amazing team of volunteers who worked a total of 3,579 hours in 2017. Financial donations are always needed and appreciated to ensure this important work continues. Please remember the Neighbor- hood Center when doing your estate planning. of the road, it has been there awhile. Referred to other agency. -MCSO received a re- port on NW Union Ave, Heppner that a deer in the back yard is dead. RP has no way of getting rid of it. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Wyoming Ave, Irrigon that there is an as- sault at the high school. -MCSO received a re- port at Heppner Volunteer Fire Department on NW Riverside Ave, Heppner of a driver that may be intoxi- cated, is all over the road. Jonathan Ceel Vandenbrink was given a verbal warning for electronic device. -MCSO received a re- port on Columbia Ln, Ir- rigon that across the street from him there are 3-4 goats being attacked by a Rottweiler and Pit Bull. Referred to other agency. -MCSO received a re- port on NW Washington Ave, Irrigon that company that cleans contaminated houses has completed the cleanup and the bank want- ed them to advise when it was completed. -MCSO received a re- port on Hwy 207 Echo, Lexington that there is a van with flares out chang- ing a tire. Vehicle was gone before deputy arrived on the scene. -MCSO received a report on SE Utah Ave, Irrigon tat a white Geo Metro with blue stripes is speeding. -MCSO received a report at Heppner Mar- ket Fresh on N Main St, Heppner that a dog named Spark Plug is coming into the store. She has attempted to contact the owners and they have not responded. Dog will be transported to owner by a person who is familiar with the animal. -Continued on PAGE SIX
