Introductory Comments
Interim Superintendent Cydney Vandercar reported that federal regulators are expected to authorize the use of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer for young people ages 12–15. Vaccinations of the district’s students, staff and community will help bring about a more traditional school year starting in the fall, she said.
The district will seek community input for use of the ESSER III (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding that 4J is set to receive. The money is included in the $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus relief package approved in March to help school districts safely reopen and address pandemic-related impacts on the nation’s students. Potential uses for the money include wraparound services for students, transportation for Life Skills students, additional opportunities for tutoring for students and professional development for staff.
Superintendent Vandercar gave a brief update on 4J’s major bond-funded construction projects. Construction is underway for the new Edison Elementary School building, crews have broken ground on the Gilham Elementary School building expansion, and the design process is underway for the new Camas Ridge Elementary School building. A design open house will be held virtually for the new Camas Ridge school building at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26. These projects are all made possible by voters’ approval of the 2018 school bond measure. The superintendent shared her gratitude to voters for passing the measure.
Lastly, Superintendent Vandercar recognized Teacher Appreciation Week and thanked 4J’s teachers and licensed specialists for their hard work during this extraordinary school year.
Items for Information (no board action is expected to be taken)
• Received an update from Eugene Education Foundation: Dana Fleming, the foundation’s executive director, provided to the board an update of the foundation’s activities to support 4J students and families over the past year. The foundation distributed $206,000 in grants to support student arts, music, literary and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) programs. The foundation revised its grant process due to the pandemic to respond more quickly to heightened needs, creating two application periods for grants as well as an open application process for urgent needs. The foundation also established the Student Needs Now Fund to support the families of 4J students adversely impacted by the pandemic. The fund has received nearly $200,000 in community donations, paying for food, supplies, clothing and internet access for students and families. 4J staff and board members and the foundation also organized supply drives so community members could donate needed items and supplies to support families during the pandemic. Ms. Fleming’s presentation also covered the foundation’s literacy initiatives; Rosie’s Fund, a program to support students with severe trauma; and EEF’s annual fundraising gala.
• Received an update on COVID-19 and return to on-site learning: 4J conducted its first vaccination clinic for 4J students ages 16+, providing COVID-19 vaccines to 18 ECCO students. The district is preparing for its first large-scale student vaccination clinic with its partner Cascade Health. The district also is anticipating students between the ages of 12–15 being eligible for the vaccine with federal authorization imminent.
District staff discussed the protocols for student meal times in classrooms or outside, if possible, while maintaining physical distancing. Staff also provided a brief update on athletics and other activities for the remainder of the school year. The district and high schools are working to hold in-person graduation ceremonies, but the county’s COVID-19 risk level will determine if those events can go forward. The district is organizing cap and gown pickup and school picture events, as well as distributing celebratory lawn signs to graduating seniors, family members and friends.
• Received an update on 2020–21 statewide testing: District staff briefed the board on the greatly reduced state testing schedule for 4J students in grades 3–8 and 11. The U.S. Department of Education has approved Oregon’s plan to reduce the amount of testing, but it did not approve a request to waive all state testing this year.
4J’s state testing plan for spring 2021 is designed to meet the state and federal mandates, not risk the loss of federal funding, minimize the impact on teacher time and student learning, and provide options for families. The district provided families with three options related to state testing for their students: complete state tests as scheduled; complete additional tests for the other subjects normally tested at their grade level; or opt out and not complete state tests this year. More than half of families who picked an option chose to opt out their students from state testing in this unusual year, with the percentage of opt-outs increasing as the grade level rose.
Items for Action
• Approved the overhaul of the board policies prohibiting sexual harassment: The district has had policies prohibiting sexual harassment in place for decades. Due to extensive changes to state and federal laws, the board unanimously voted to remove the former policies on sexual harassment and readopt new ones. The language of the two adopted policies, GBN/JBA and JBA/GBN, is identical, but they are separated and cross-referenced to be easily found under policies related to staff and policies related to students.
The policies reflect both changes to the definition of sexual harassment and new procedural requirements under Oregon law, such as supportive measures and required written notices. The policies also reflect detailed regulations the U.S. Department of Education adopted last year related to Title IX sexual harassment, including a definition of sexual harassment, when the regulation would apply and the required district response to reports of sexual harassment. The vote was unanimous.
• Approved items on the consent agenda: The board approved the purchase of replacement classroom displays and adopted the official board minutes of its March 3 meeting. The vote was unanimous.
Items for Future Action (board action is expected at a later meeting)
• Considered approval of 2021–22 board guiding beliefs and values: The board considered updated guiding beliefs and values, which it reviews each year. The changes added descriptions of the board’s beliefs and values, including the belief that all students deserve to be and feel safe and welcome at school, and a commitment to reducing the disparity of outcomes for historically underserved students.
Public Input
The board heard live public comment via Zoom. Eight community members spoke about collaboration at 4J, the equity committee, remarks made by a board member at a previous meeting, and a remembrance of retired South Eugene High School English teacher Don DeWitt. To request to speak to the school board, community members may complete an online request form by the Monday before the next regular board meeting. Community members also may send comments via email to board@4j.lane.edu.
Agenda and Materials
May 5 regular meeting materials
May 5 regular meeting audio recording
NOTE: This is a quick summary of the topics and actions at a meeting of the school board. This document is NOT the official minutes of the school board. Official minutes are posted after they are drafted, reviewed and approved by the board. Audio recordings of meetings are typically posted within two days after the meeting.
School Board Meeting Schedule & Information
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
