Dec. 21, 2022 — Siuslaw School District (SSD) is putting a call out to the community for advisement on budget and mathematics curriculum.

The SSD has had some difficulty filling three openings on the Budget Committee. After first setting a deadline of Dec. 5, then extending that deadline to Dec. 12, the district will once again add an extension in attempt to fill the vacant positions.

Interested applicants for the Budget Committee must now apply by Monday, Jan. 9.

Positions 2 (1-year unexpired term), 3 and 6 are open for appointment by the school board. The Budget Committee includes the board of directors and seven volunteer citizens who are appointed to serve three-year terms. Committee members must be registered voters living within the boundaries of SSD and cannot be employees, officers or agents of the district. 

The school board will consider applications at the Jan. 11 board meeting. Those interested should fill out an application and return it to [email protected] or the Siuslaw School District Office, 2111 Oak St. by Jan. 9, no later than 5 p.m.

Applications for the Budget Committee can be found at core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/588/Siuslaw_School_District/2573459/2022_23_Budget_Committee_Application_UPDATED.pdf. For more information on the Budget Committee, go to www.siuslaw.k12.or.us/o/siuslaw-school-district/page/budget-committee-openings.

SSD also has two openings on its mathematics curriculum review committee. 

Curriculum is reviewed and adopted on a seven-year cycle, and this is the year for the adoption of new mathematics curriculum for implementation in classrooms in the fall. The seven-year cycle for mathematics is 2023 through 2030. 

In keeping with board policy on curriculum adoption, any suggestions for mathematics curriculum beyond the Oregon Department of Education approved program list is being solicited at this time. 

As defined by SSD policy, mathematics curriculum suggestions will be accepted until Jan. 17.

For the district’s Instructional Materials/Program Adoption Procedure go to: //policy.osba.org/siuslaw/I/IIA%20R%20G2.PDF.

Any suggestions of mathematics programs to be considered for the 2023-2030 adoption cycle can be submitted, via email, to [email protected] until Jan. 17.

Any parent or guardian of a Siuslaw student who is interested in serving on a mathematics curriculum review committee, two positions are available: one for kindergarten through fifth grade and one for sixth through 12th grade. 

Interested persons may submit their name for consideration for the mathematics curriculum review committee, via email, to [email protected] and they will be contacted by one of the building principals about the next steps in the committee procedures.

At its regular meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 14, the district announced these two openings and also successfully added one member to the Budget Committee. Jasmine Lewis applied for and was unanimously approved for Budget Member Position 1. 

Another development at the December meeting was the much anticipated addition of two students to the board. Siuslaw High School students Riley Olson and Tiffany Rasmussen were both sworn in by Board Vice Chair Maureen Miltenberger. 

During its September meeting, the board unanimously approved a resolution adding the two students and, after rereviewing applications, a committee comprised of directors Frank Armendariz, Miltenberger and Kady Sneddon selected the two juniors.

The two students will be asked to be a part of all board discussions but will not be allowed to vote on any motions or attend executive or emergency sessions.

Other items of significance at the December meeting include the announcement of the retirement of Patricia Mead after 20 years as an aide at Siuslaw Elementary. 

SHS Student Body President Jacob Blankenship gave his monthly update. He covered Spirit Week and also mentioned students made $2,000 on their cookie dough fundraiser.

Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak described early plans for improving the play area behind Siuslaw Elementary. Preliminary plans call for adding a covered play area on the north side of the elementary school gym, along with other improvements. 

Grzeskowiak mentioned he has a meeting with architects “coming up” and will discuss plans with the facilities committee next. 

Armendariz made a short “Staff Recognition” presentation bringing attention to two events: the Veteran’s Day Assembly the high school hosted on Nov. 10 and also National Education Week, which was Nov. 13-19. In honor of the special week, Armendariz listed specific members of the district staff he felt deserved recognition for everything they do for the district. They were Jenny Dietz, Vonnie McClellan, Cheryl Chipps, Cece Howell and Pam Hickson.

To watch the complete December meeting, go to: youtu.be/qI-ytlerkFY.

The SSD Board of Directors will next meet Jan. 11, beginning at 6 p.m. at the district office. For more information, visit Siuslaw.k12.or.us.