Newberg-Dundee School Board met on Tuesday to discuss staff changes, a donation, and more.
Staff Changes
One highlight was that the School Board approved a new Temporary Teacher Contract, bringing Jake Pauly on board at Catalyst Alternative High School, effective this month. In addition, Mountain View Middle School Counselor Valerie Vogel will leave next month.
Donation
The School Board approved an anonymous donation of $1,500 to Chehalem Valley Middle School Reading and Math Lab incentives. Thank you, anonymous supporter!
Audit
Pauley Rogers and Co., P.C. an accountancy firm from Tigard, audited the School District’s financial statements for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2023. They found all statements to be in compliance with the laws of the State of Oregon and of the state’s auditing standards.
Presentations
- Mental Health: School Psychologist Jeri Turgesen, Director of Special Programs Tony Buckner, and Behavioral Health and Special Education Coordinator Amy Stephens offered an update on mental health in the School District. One highlight included that the School District has expanded an existing partnership with George Fox University and Pacific University. There are now six doctoral students in clinical psychology from GFU and PacU, doubling the highest number of graduate students the district has ever had and four more than it had only a few months ago.
- Crater Elementary: Principal Brian Wood noted the strong performance of his students on state testing (third-graders’ math scores were 20 percentage points higher than the state average). He also shared his pride in the bond-funded Makerspace where his students can explore their creativity, try out technology such as 3-D printing, and more.
- Mabel Rush Elementary: Principal Tim Lauer noted the bond-funded improvements at his school, including the updates to the roof (which no longer leaks) and their new Makerspace. He lauded his staff’s hard work and thanked the parents and community for their continual support.
Superintendent’s Contract
The School Board discussed a one-year extension to Superintendent Stephen W. Phillips’s three-year contract, which expires in 2026 and is up for renewal. Phillips recommended a pay freeze. The Board will continue the discussion at the next School Board meeting.
Upcoming Regular Sessions
The next regular sessions for the School Board are planned for Feb. 13 and March 12, and there are already presentations planned for both days:
- Mountain View Middle School Principal Jen Bailey and Edwards Elementary School Principal Nicole Love will share presentations about their schools on Feb. 13.
- During the March 12 meeting, Joan Austin Elementary Principal Ashley Lee and Catalyst Alternative High School Principal Chris Stevens will deliver updates on their schools.