Eugene School District 4J

December 18, 2019
School Board Work Session and Regular Meeting

On Wednesday, December 18, 2019, the school board held a work session followed by a regular board meeting.

District staff provided an in-depth presentation regarding the coming move this summer. The presentation included the communications plan, which includes regular meetings and messages to staff and parents for both schools in the coming months, building logistics, enrollment projections, budget figures and long-range goals. Board members asked several questions to clarify aspects of the project and to address concerns and questions heard from parents and school staff about the pending moves. 

The school board’s regular meeting followed the work session.

Public Hearing

• Conducted a public hearing for the proposed contract renewal of Ridgeline Montessori Charter School: Eleven people testified.

Information Items (no board action is expected to be taken)

• Received an update on Student Success Act planning work: 4J is projected to receive about $13 million in new revenue starting in the 2020-21 school year from a new business tax that Oregon lawmakers approved in 2019. The district completed and submitted a needs assessment to identify gaps in educating and serving students of color, students with disabilities and students navigating poverty, homelessness and other challenges. The district has completed and submitted its needs assessment and has begun another round of community engagement to collect comments on how best to spend the money to support student success with a focus on historically underserved students.

• Received a report on the 4J school choice process: The board heard an overview of the district’s school choice process and reviewed recent changes in state laws regarding student transfers between school districts. 4J’s school choice policy allows students to attend district schools located outside the neighborhood they live in or to receive an education from 4J if they live in another school district, where space is available. 

• Discussed trial change in start time for board meetings: The school board will move its bi-monthly regular meetings to an earlier time on a trial basis, seeking to better accommodate residents’ schedules. In January and February 2020, regular board meetings will begin at 6 p.m. instead of the traditional 7 p.m. start time. The board will revisit the meeting schedule in February after trying the earlier start time for multiple meetings.

• Tabled discussion of board goals for the 2019-20 school year until the Jan. 15 meeting.

Board Actions

• Tabled approval of board working agreements: The board voted unanimously to delay discussion and adoption of the board’s working agreements until the Jan. 15 meeting.

• Adopted district policy updates: The board voted unanimously to revise board policies to conform to changes in state law and updates to policy best practices:

IGAI Health Education
IGBBA Talented and Gifted
JGE Expulsion

• Approved items on the consent agenda: The board unanimously approved meeting minutes and two other items on the consent agenda: Personnel actions and Willard site prefabricated and modular building award.

Items for Future Action (board action is expected at a later meeting)

• Considered Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School contract renewal: Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School provides instruction for grades K–8. The school’s current charter contract will expire on June 30, 2020. The renewal request does not propose any significant changes to the school’s program. The board will consider the superintendent’s recommendation to approve the renewal of Ridgeline’s charter contract for ten years, contingent upon the successful negotiation of a contract. 

• Considered proposed policy updates: The board considered proposed revisions to board policies to conform to changes in state law and updates to policy best practices:

BBFC Child Abuse Reporting Board
GBA Equal Employment Opportunity 4J
GBNAA_JHFF G1 Suspected Sexual Conduct 4J

Public Input

Seven people provided public comment to the board, including comments regarding:

• Improving student test scores
• Sex education related to gender identity and sexual orientation
• Move of Yujin Gakuen Elementary School to Kelly Middle School
• Student Success Act investments
• Inclusive classrooms

Agenda and Materials

Dec. 18 work session recording

Dec. 18 board meeting recording

NOTE:  This is a quick summary of the topics and actions at a meeting of the school board. It is NOT the official minutes of the school board. Official minutes are posted after they are drafted by the minutes recorder, reviewed and approved by the board at a following meeting. Recordings of meetings are posted within two days after the meeting. 

School Board Meeting Schedule & Information

Summaries of Other School Board Meetings