School Appoints 12 to New Equity Committee

Volunteer committee will advise on equity issues

The school board has appointed 12 members to a newly restructured Equity Committee: Linda DeSpain, Andrew Gottesman, Malvina Holloway, Jett Johnson, Misa Joo, Charles Martinez, Eileen Nittler, Herb Pendleton, Rita Radostitz, Kori Rodley, Laurie Trieger and Jane Waite.

The committee will provide guidance and support on issues of equity, diversity and inclusion in our schools. Building and strengthening student and community partnerships that boost student academic success will also be an important part of its work.

A total of 45 community members had applied to serve on the committee. The board was excited and gratified to see so many people interested in engaging with the district to improve student success. 

Learn more about the Equity Committee

Facilities Recommendations Presented to Board

District should replace, renovate school buildings to better support teaching and learning, consultant says

Informational Handout | Assessment & Recommendations Report | Appendices (400 pages) | Presentation Slideshow | Map A | Map B | Proposed Schedule

Most of 4J’s 35 school buildings were constructed in the 1940s to 1960s. Several buildings are reaching the end of their useful life and many aren’t well-suited to today’s instructional programs. Consulting firm MGT of America was hired to evaluate the condition of our school buildings and to make recommendations for updating the district’s long-range facilities plan.

MGT's recommendations include constructing 6 new schools to replace 8 older school buildings in poor condition; disposing of several surplus properties; and asking voters to invest in improving our school buildings by approving three bond measures over the next 10 years.

The school board has just received these recommendations and will consider them over the next 5–6 months. Public input opportunities will be scheduled in the fall. The board will need to adopt a long-range plan and decide whether to refer a bond measure to voters. The earliest that any new school building could be constructed and open for students would be in September 2015.

District Budget Proposed for 2012–13

Balanced budget provides greater stability after years of deep cuts


The 4J Budget Committee has recommended a 2012–13 budget to the school board. The proposed budget was developed with two overarching goals: Aligning resources to help meet student achievement goals, and providing some stability after several years of deep cuts in staffing and service.

The budget adds high school teachers to ensure that all ninth graders can have a full class schedule, a top priority for next year. Employees again will make compensation concessions and the district will draw down reserves to help balance the budget. 

The board will hold a public hearing on June 6 before adopting the budget.

Learn more: Proposed budget | Budget process

New "Drive For Education" to Support Eugene Schools

Local business Kendall Toyota will donate $1,000s each month


Kendall's Amy Newport and Shanley Skillern present a check to Bethel and 4J superintendents Colt Gill and Shelley Berman.Drive For Education, a new partnership between Kendall Toyota and the 4J and Bethel school districts, is gearing up to generate substantial support for Eugene schools.

Kendall's generous contributions will provide $12,000 to 4J each month during the school year. That money will be used for a much-needed update to high school mathematics curriculum materials to keep up with changing state standards. Kendall also will distribute over $12,000 each quarter to individual schools based on points earned for interactions with the business. 

High School Gets $425,000 Grant for Innovative Engineering Program

Churchill will have Eugene's first full-scale pre-engineering program

 
Students at Churchill High School soon will be getting hands-on with an innovative new pre-engineering program.

Churchill has been awarded a grant of nearly half a million dollars to develop an innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. It will be the first full-scale, coherent pre-engineering program in Eugene.

2012 ACE Awards Champions Named

Ceremony honors 4 champions, more than 50 other 4J nominees

 
Read the Register-Guard article here

More than 50 4J teachers, administrators, classified staff and volunteers were honored at the seventh annual ACE (A Champion in Education) Awards on April 24. 

2012 ACE Awards ChampionsSponsored by the local business community, the ACE Awards recognize exemplary work by educators in the Eugene 4J, Bethel and Springfield school districts.  

Four 4J educators were named as 4J's 2012 champions:
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