4J School Board Special Meeting Notes - November 1, 2023 

View the Board Meeting recording here: http://krvm-1.shs.lane.edu/4j_board_meetings/Board_20231101.mp3

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions and if you know someone who might also like to receive these updates.

1. River Road / El Camino del Rio Elem School Choir performed for the Board, in-person audience, and remote audience.

2. 17:40 | Items for Action

   1. Chair Maya Rabasa: Additions to Agenda

   2. 18:00 - Member Jenny Jonak: Postpone Item for Action: Determine how and when to meet with 3 Employee Groups (EEA, OSEA, MAPS). 

   3. 19:35 - Supt. Andy Dey remarks: A sincere and unconditional apology to public and staff for concerns around the reorganization of the Dist’s Equity Dept. Feedback. I hear you for the need for improvement. Dist staff will be inviting public members to weigh in; I welcome broad voices.

3. 22:45 | Student Board Representative

   1. Sheridan, Churchill High School: Bell Schedule with only 30 min Lunch Break is insufficient. Please consider changes for next year.

   2. Rory, South Eugene High School

   3. Carmen, Sheldon High: student concern over the new schedule and workload and class sizes

   4. Parker, North Eugene: Love new building, but a few issues on floor wear and tear; need murals and artwork. Concerns over new schedule; Wednesdays especially stressful. Also difficult to access off-campus lunch spots.

It was very good to see this school year’s high school student representatives to the School Board speak. I pleased that they address important issues at their schools in addition to updates on social and athletic events. It is important for the Board and the public to learn about issues at their schools so that the Board can be aware

4. 36:00 | Public Comments

   1. Rev. Dan Bryant: updated the Board on SquareOne Villages, affordable housing project Grand Opening in Dec.

   2. 40:42 Thomas Hiura, Sheldon grad: opposes online bullying during the Middle East conflict.

5. 40:40 | Employee Groups

   1. Sabrina Gordon, EEA Pres (teachers’ union): Today Portland tea hers walked off on strike. Eugene teachers stand with them. In 4J we appreciate the quality of our school buildings. We do need specialized support resources, reduced class sizes to help all students learn. You Board members have major input. We invite you to visit our schools and to attend our Legislative Breakfast later this month. We know you share with us the desire to meet the needs of student well  being and staff morale. We stand ready to work with you.

It is now common practice for the teachers’ union President to speak at Board meetings. It used to also be that the union and the Supt. would meet regularly. This Board is working toward reestablishing this practice.

5. 2. Nicholas Hadley, MAPS incoming President (Managers, Administrators, and Professionals): We look forward to further discussions with you.

6. 52:20 Individual Board Members Comments

   1. Judy Newman: Appreciated student music group at start of meeting. Shared district demographic data of students.

   2. Tom Di Liberto: Thanks to dist bus driver for allowing me to ride along and get to see what it’s like - very impressive. Shout out to student Bd rep Parker of NEHS.

   3. Vice-Chair Jenny Jonak: watched 6th gr math class at roosevelt mid school; impressed with teacher Karen Marashi’s creativity.

   4. Morgan Munro: Board Goals to get better. Public will learn more in near future.

   5. Ericka Thessen: like Judy, enjoyed student music at start of meeting

   6. Chair Maya Rabasa: Also enjoyed student music. With Jenny visited NEHS Library; staff and students proud. Welcome again to our Student Board Reps. Dist teachers……

7. 1hr 11min | Approved Items for Consent Items; Vote 7-0

8. 1hr 12min | Items for Information

   1. Introduction of District Ombuds, Mr. Talatou Maiga via Zoom; Starts on Dec. 1. From Mali, West Africa. Fulbright Scholarship to NAU. PhD at U of Utah; prepared me for this position.

9. 1hr 16min | North Eugene High School SCIP (School Continuous Improvement Plan) Presentation: Principal Nain presented.

10.  1:45:45 | Items for Action

- Policy DBEA — Budget Committee (2nd Read): Chief of Staff Jenna McCauley presented.