[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6368107,"mediaKeyId","2157919-1ff1d84d451efb270c001bc6928b4cae","parentId",2157919,"title","Votes at a glance: Board approves agenda, personnel and minutes; adjourns meeting","audioSeconds",6431,"startMs",83000,"endMs",6514000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157919-1ff1d84d451efb270c001bc6928b4cae&start=83&end=6514","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157919-1ff1d84d451efb270c001bc6928b4cae/thumbnail_83000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6368107/Oregon/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-approves-agenda-personnel-and-minutes-adjourns-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6368107-90a99cb44d0c4eacc04dee0cc9ebde14/orig.mp4?Expires=1770630929&Signature=TrB5kvjDbdBMKctNj6HHFy~N4YmXPUGvkXab8~6nPWwoWqY8vc5Rw5yuhYf7aXlOXprOFNe-3EsaIZPqXZuz4~CJT1P3g1pxBj6UWdDhhRjFnxFllZk5yUq0AV6dueAkyxsO47UhsAu2dx3TuSk-yYmJN4rcDC99Cq3zUvHZiai-K4Oc64ohHc0c5RXSp5Aya2L4DysckmfTOAHI7orb8c4MsnkO64ePFojhLkq66t3sqjNJMlqmanGlRoqdNHxpqwn3SytXfYrriGU0YmDdPl7OvQlT40VI0Jq5HCZU7xoOYJKeScBJIZX5V6-9kSvF8D8gk2kA-T1U6AVOGsULYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Greater Albany Public Schools","date","2025-01-28T16:28:53Z","article","At the Jan. 27, 2025 meeting the Greater Albany Public SD 8J Board of Education took several routine procedural actions:

- The board approved the meeting agenda as presented after a motion and a second; the chair called for “All in favor. Aye.” The transcript does not include a roll‑call tally.

- The board approved personnel classified items on the consent agenda following a motion and a second; the chair called for “All in favor. Aye.” The transcript does not include a roll‑call tally.

- The board approved minutes from the regular board meeting of Jan. 13, 2025 after a motion and second; the chair called for “All in favor. Aye.”

- The board approved a motion to adjourn the meeting after a motion and a second; the chair called for “All in favor. Aye.”

The meeting transcript records the motions and the chair’s statements that each motion was approved but does not record individual vote tallies or names for each ‘aye’ vote. No contested votes were recorded during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular School Board Meeting - January 27, 2025 - 6:00 p.m.","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved the meeting agenda, a personnel classified consent item and minutes from the Jan. 13, 2025 meeting and then adjourned. Vote counts were not read aloud; chair called for 'All in favor' on routine motions.","taxTitle","Greater Albany Public SD 8J, School Districts, Oregon","taxId",65671,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6368112,"South Albany High showcases state-title volleyball team, outlines block-schedule and 9th-grade supports",5711,101000,5812000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157919-1ff1d84d451efb270c001bc6928b4cae&start=101&end=5812","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157919-1ff1d84d451efb270c001bc6928b4cae/thumbnail_101000.jpg","/articles/6368112/Oregon/South-Albany-High-showcases-state-title-volleyball-team-outlines-block-schedule-and-9th-grade-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6368112-261b55c058af84877d927aa749d71c39/orig.mp4?Expires=1770630929&Signature=fjyoCQIUsaOvcSxFQAMS-wDbA0Awxg9gIMNFDoOnH4e3tnMDJRVgWb4CQj-OCFuCXSaheOBAchX~xwdhXMUIoatpRjsFGU-zpfZmVreTOrrTmsDNh6z6HVP~qrYXJJfEszFeHuLOo8-M7pmhBk8Z~ZQCj8ERzdZGBEqAqM1RGACUReupJIJ3gGD0U~apcQyJ~usm1IP265qa5T~Y~~NwmudQXVmQjgG2-Ja5GO7f5RR9ewj20DoGKN9tjokNoXafl7T~Y5NnhmK5efEy3ANKeiUAgh1UzjL1E83SRXVF7gygvnCY8KMJN5Zv5euKKOb5Cy8N5F4ZaVWLL4AIvrNK~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Greater Albany board recognized South Albany High School’s volleyball team for a historic season and state championship, and Principal Alan Stearns presented the school’s instructional priorities, including transition to a block schedule and programs to improve 9th-grade on-track rates.

At the meeting, Bruce introduced the South Albany volleyball players and coaching staff. Principal Stearns and several board members praised the team’s athletic and academic accomplishments; the presentation named multiple players and coaches and noted coach Kayla Wierman’s awards, including district and state coaching honors and the OSAA coaching excellence award.

Stearns then gave a school report. He described the school’s vision that “every student has equitable opportunities to be college and career ready” and outlined three core goals: increasing graduation and credit-earning opportunities, strengthening 9th-grade on‑track supports, and expanding advanced-course and career-technical education pathways.

To increase credits and intervention, Stearns said South moved to a block schedule and added sections devoted to intervention and study skills. The school added study-skill sections and doubled some intervention sections to help students recover credits and build on-tier instruction. He described the Red Hawk 101/advisory model, a Take Flight summer bridge program for incoming 9th graders and targeted MTSS (multi-tiered) supports.

On curriculum and career readiness, Stearns said AVID strategies, expanded CTE offerings and opportunities to earn AP credit and the seal of biliteracy are part of the high school’s approach to giving students multiple post‑graduation pathways.

Board members asked detailed questions about math readiness, attendance and arts funding. Stearns said the district, high school and feeder middle schools are working on algebra readiness and that algebra remains part of the grade‑level expectations; the school offers algebra support classes and summer bridge opportunities. Regarding facilities and music funding, board members discussed how program resources are allocated across sites and asked administration to explore options.

The volleyball recognition and Stearns’s presentation did not result in board action; the board thanked players, coaches and staff and asked administrators to continue monitoring credit attainment and enrollment trends.","The board recognized the South Albany High School volleyball team for a perfect season and state championship and heard Principal Alan Stearns describe the school’s shift to a block schedule, 9th-grade on-track initiatives, credit-earning strategies and CTE pathway expansion.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6368117,"Tangent Elementary reports enrollment gains, keeps literacy central to strategy",768,3696000,4464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157919-1ff1d84d451efb270c001bc6928b4cae&start=3696&end=4464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157919-1ff1d84d451efb270c001bc6928b4cae/thumbnail_3696000.jpg","/articles/6368117/Oregon/Tangent-Elementary-reports-enrollment-gains-keeps-literacy-central-to-strategy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6368117-11423bb68168891bf0f88ef72835b0eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770630929&Signature=Osu7CabEthmDN2RBn56jdFfFj5BzsW2reKAriicEogXCd4S3IfrMUvCM-3iCXNk9lIzoejfE99gKRFw84JJSq-hE3hxwftn74GiTg9RW~NwhCMkIMVa3LqZDbU9blSnVEQ0Oy7zI~99pF1F1yl7SSNuQF3pqqqXkyQ6om2wgJmk3u1MePOAxeyxxE7MQUVu4sglrmYDA2DYPOyUI-cm4DFUWusycAsYfzARFnaXGx-nVbtaNIFkYIXQJdEdnNnSBYEDuJ~n6jQZBMXo5PirAHrSgT58EMMdwQMWgU8nfndKRBmZZdwj4VXoLdnqjopfRj2EwI9xCcgUPSx-H0eqpGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tangent Elementary reported enrollment growth and a strong, schoolwide focus on early literacy, social‑emotional learning and number sense, principal Gretchen Carter told the board.

Carter said Tangent’s core priority is literacy and described a staffing approach that funnels staff into early grades each morning so every student receives targeted intervention in reading. “Our kindergarten is twice as big as it was last year,” Carter said, adding the school’s ‘‘flood model’’ places every available adult in kindergarten for the first hour to deliver small‑group instruction and intervention.

Carter said Tangent uses a combination of district materials and supplemental tools (including i‑ready-aligned resources and Hegarty for early phonics) and that PBIS and Second Step SEL modules guide behavior expectations. She said a major operational challenge is the absence of an MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) facilitator or instructional coach this year; without that position, teachers and other staff have taken on additional roles.

The principal listed next steps and outreach: family math and literacy nights, increased parent engagement, and efforts to maintain consistent routines so students understand expectations. Carter told the board she will provide more specific assessment data at a later date.

Board members asked about state test baselines and the school’s numerical targets; Carter said fall benchmark data are available but that the school’s leadership team had intentionally limited data in the presentation to emphasize practices and community engagement. She agreed to share concise performance metrics with the board at an upcoming meeting or during informal follow-up.","Tangent Elementary principal Gretchen Carter said the school has increased kindergarten enrollment and is focusing staff time on early literacy interventions, PBIS and math number sense. The school cited constrained staffing — notably a vacant instructional coach — as a challenge this year.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6368121,"Greater Albany district projects gap as enrollment falls; officials say staff reductions may be required",1479,1912000,3391000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157919-1ff1d84d451efb270c001bc6928b4cae&start=1912&end=3391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157919-1ff1d84d451efb270c001bc6928b4cae/thumbnail_1912000.jpg","/articles/6368121/Oregon/Greater-Albany-district-projects-gap-as-enrollment-falls-officials-say-staff-reductions-may-be-required","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6368121-8e923b5358913c088e2c2d4ce7f3aac0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770630929&Signature=jO-G3tRS8TLs3Q7TRD6f2rlJtSiS80WAFH12b3tUmTRpiR2cpM2FY1-SAAWRovq-iNpMkCMaHOmriKNitI1ZgPrNTRdrDd~w9HnuJlajbkPjYJUnkz5bljluaO0Nw33mn7E8l5MKZgmU7kJbOMcns~ypk6~qpquSCYIgyUhPanMa4t5OwAOIKypbfvBX-nNPtrkg0R2ZZpj0MIf0eu7q35NymYMa8Y3CYxyZb2~meNpTNyhkBVgrMv-EvU6icnxNejDadyrf9QOKCxgSKauJVLCNurTXMT5QeXhdmC2DMnwDqHCxMbw52RMFS0crE2S6ryzaDsoFdAp9SH4RusiCHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Greater Albany Public SD 8J business office presented projections showing the district expects lower state funding tied to second-period Average Daily Membership and other revenue pressures, leaving the district with a narrower margin than budgeted and a potential multi-year structural deficit.

Business financial lead Jane told the board that auditors from Acuity will conduct the 23–24 audit next week and that “if we have the audit to ODE before March 1st, we would receive funding in March.” Jane said the district received property taxes and is currently carrying a positive cash balance but that projected 2024–25 revenues will likely be about $1 million lower than budgeted.

Jane outlined specific components driving the projection: a drop in basic school support of about $672,000 tied to reduced student count in the second-period ADM; a reduction tied to transportation grant reimbursements of roughly $850,000; and higher-than-budgeted substitute and payroll costs. She projected an ending general fund balance near $11.2 million, or about 8.4% of the general fund, under current assumptions.

Board members pressed for more information on the enrollment decline. Jane said the district’s projected floor for 2025–26 is an ADMr of about 8,620 and that the second-period ADM, adjusted historically, suggested a net decline of roughly 195 ADMr from 23–24 to 24–25. She said kindergarten and lower elementary grades showed the biggest decreases while high school enrollment had increased slightly, with freshman class size down.

Board member Roger flagged long-term risk: in the static scenario shown on Jane’s slides, current deficit spending would exhaust reserves in roughly 2½ years without changes to revenue or expenses. “We will need to budget. The goal will be to stay at the 8% fund balance. And so as class sizes decrease, you know, we will decrease staff,” Jane responded.

Superintendent Andy said the district will study whether the fall strike or other factors drove churn, and he suggested surveying families who no longer enroll in district schools to understand choices. Jane and other leaders said some neighboring districts show larger declines, but the capture rate (share of locally born children attending district schools) has dropped from about 91% pre-COVID to roughly 81% post-COVID.

The board did not take any budget actions at the meeting but directed staff to return with additional analyses, including enrollment trend data and a draft 2025–26 projection incorporating proposed state funding changes announced during the legislative session.","Business manager Jane presented multi-year budget projections showing a projected 2024–25 shortfall and a longer-term structural deficit if enrollment and state funding do not improve. Board members pressed for enrollment surveys and other steps to understand and address declining student counts.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6368124,"Greater Albany board debates how — and when — to reinstate public comment",1202,518000,1720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157919-1ff1d84d451efb270c001bc6928b4cae&start=518&end=1720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157919-1ff1d84d451efb270c001bc6928b4cae/thumbnail_518000.jpg","/articles/6368124/Oregon/Greater-Albany-board-debates-how-and-when-to-reinstate-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6368124-b75ce31352942a1de924d2e31c901e83/orig.mp4?Expires=1770630929&Signature=TASQ9LqJv7gkOOU28UhhOxQJSo-bB7ERlvlspQh75uGFrZbDVN743uVsz35m-U82UOOXYGLZWYoFrxUxMQVNrBPn1arpqlPwYJSDAUHiOav9EOvcpcwGEaE45zrhDUACwnBtgk9g0xXIqceqHGoUcPwyVyJZDpA3lWrhYDtYQLJ9KP1yBh0NKuK0mUlxYEoOA7OFqfFy276xNt7dyOfVathdEOcDdCbI3HBIkVYj~bscvtjjSVYr78E0gScXCJGyxDhD1GH2UufOpHvc8xQtyG0WiVcvYwIUThtUvuNEKDNUbliC5KtrCN3jsFprLVydH2J4PzoLHVyjP3wz3iix6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Greater Albany Public School District 8J Board of Education discussed reinstituting public comment after a roughly three- to four-year pause, with members debating timing, time limits, topic scope and procedures for tech-enabled testimony.

Board chair Morris opened the discussion by saying the board wants to “bring public comment back” and asked members to think about how it should work. He said the board’s plan is to return a draft policy for a vote at a future meeting.

Members focused on several recurring details: whether public comment should be at the end of meetings or at a designated time; whether the board should pair monthly public comment with quarterly listening sessions that allow more conversational follow-up; and whether to impose time and subject limits.

Board member Roger, who has extensive experience with public meetings, urged the board to expect unpredictable remarks and recommended a conservative approach to time limits. “You can put a total, both an individual and a total time limit on it — 3 minutes an individual and no more than 15 minutes probably would be a good place to start,” Roger said.

Board member Ryan and others favored keeping listening sessions once a quarter to enable two-way conversation while holding shorter monthly public comment at the end of regular meetings. Ryan said he likes the listening sessions because “you actually can talk to somebody instead of just coming up and making your statement.” Several members said they prefer the end of the meeting so staff and board members can follow up without interrupting agenda business.

Several board members said they want rules that define acceptable subject matter and behavior during public comment. One board member suggested restricting comments to topics related to the school district, students or staff to avoid tangential or abusive remarks; another suggested the chair or a small committee pre-clear invited testimony in advance. Staff member Chris Green had already gathered examples from other districts, the board said.

The board agreed on next steps without taking a vote: two board members will work with chair Morris and staff to draft a public comment policy covering placement during meetings, time limits, topic scope and tech procedures for remote commenters. That draft will come back to the board for formal consideration and, if adopted, would be implemented at a later date. Chair Morris said he expects the proposed policy and procedures to return to the board for a vote at a subsequent meeting.

The discussion included repeated cautions about enforcement. Roger said sanctions for out-of-order remarks should be limited and procedural — recess public comment, adjourn, or suspend the period — and warned against using the gavel to “gavel them down” unless necessary. Other members emphasized the need for transparent notice of rules so commenters know the consequences for violating them.

The board did not adopt any new policy during the meeting. Instead, a subset of members will draft procedures and present them at a future meeting for adoption.","The Greater Albany Public School Board discussed reinstating public comment at meetings, weighing time limits, placement at the end of meetings, topic restrictions and whether to pair monthly comment periods with quarterly listening sessions. Board members agreed to draft rules and return a proposed policy for adoption.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Board approves agenda, personnel and minutes; adjourns meeting

South Albany High showcases state-title volleyball team, outlines block-schedule and 9th-grade supports

Tangent Elementary reports enrollment gains, keeps literacy central to strategy

Greater Albany district projects gap as enrollment falls; officials say staff reductions may be required

Greater Albany board debates how — and when — to reinstate public comment