School District News
With
Twinkle Morton, Chair of School Board
In August, the school board held a retreat- we did the normal amount of housekeeping things and worked on issues that are facing or will/could soon face the district. One of the many important things we did was discuss the difference between what the Board does and what the Superintendent does. I get many comments and letters that suggest that some of you will benefit from hearing what we did with this and seeing the difference.
It comes down to something far too simple in one way: The board decides WHAT needs to be done and the Superintendent decides HOW it will be achieved. So that is the footprint and here are the particulars.
The board supervises and evaluates the Superintendent’s job performance. In addition, early in the year [August] the vision and the goals are firmed up and put on paper. Through the year, the board works on policies, the budget, monitors progress toward goals, advocates for the staff, the community and the students. Another thing that the board does is approves contracts that are evaluated and negotiated through the Superintendent.
The Superintendent hires and trains the staff while developing action plans to best serve the students in the district. The Superintendent deals with regulations [federal, state and local] while maintaining a close eye on the expenditures. The Superintendent is the biggest advocate for the district and for the staff and students and is responsible for employee relations, negotiating contracts and evaluations of all staff. Another duty is reporting progress toward board goals and bringing any potential issues to the board for their preparation.
This is all very simplistically put but basically these are the duties the board and the Superintendent perform for you. I am hoping over the next few years to continue the increase in interest in serving on the board. Our last election saw four people vying for the one open position. All of the candidates were eager to serve our community, and I hope that as positions open up and at the next election, people will step up and run. You do not need to wait for an open position!!!
I would like to share with you some of the ways I keep in touch other than attending all the board meetings. I read our local paper. The Fern Ridge Review is an inexpensive weekly paper that will keep you up-to-date on the goings on within the district and sports as well as many other important pieces of community information. I subscribe as it is way cheaper than paying 75 cents each week and more importantly, I often forget to pick it up. It is mailed to my home for $34 a year- a savings of $5- and I don’t ‘forget’ to pick it up. The reason I am suggesting you subscribe is local papers such as yours offer you a chance to be in the know and to, more importantly, have a voice. There was a strong article in the September 5, 2017 paper on the back page that explains that very well. You can read it here: http://www.fernridge.k12.or.us/tmorton/2017/09/07/an-article-about-the-benefits-of-our-local-paper/
Strong local reporters such as Scottie Barnes, Edie Moro, Michelle Ossowski, Joan Mariner, and Sandra Larson report on happenings within our community and reporters from nearby report on their areas as well. Walton is represented by DW Northey and Lorane by Pat Edwards. There are occasional updates from the school board chair [me] and a place for letters from YOU. So please consider being more informed and getting more active in your community. Your future property values and children/grandchildren’s futures depend on it.
I want to let you know that I am now posting events at the different schools on my Twitter account which is dedicated to announcing our school events [mostly- I admit occasionally I sneak in something that effects education.] You can find me on Twitter @TAMnOregon Follow me and get regular reminders of events in your community schools.
I leave you with this thought from Aristotle: It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. We hear many ideas and other thoughts… consider wisely. As always, this video for thoughts on glacier melt https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/scientists-document-glaciers-melting-in-antarctica/
Please continue to write to me at tmorton@fernridge.k12.or.us and read my articles- maybe even follow me on Twitter @TAMnOregon. I hope to reach new readers so share with your friends and loved ones. Until next time-
I do not usually post an article I didn’t write, but I felt it was important to share this perspective for our community and our students.
Your Community Voice
Joan Mariner
There has been much talk about how alienated and unheard segments of our nation feel. That seems to be particularly true for people in urban settings. However, rural communities with a local paper have a voice that speaks to and for them in multiple ways. If you are one of those who fail to see the value of your local, weekly newspaper, this article is for you. If you do see that value, it is hoped that you find more information to support that opinion. Communication is an essential element to any healthy relationship. Whether it be couples, parents and children, business groups or schools, strong communication networks make relationships function smoother and remove or reduce areas of stress and conflict. Some companies spend time and money to facilitate the lines of communication with their employees with the knowledge that productivity will be improved. This need for clear lines of communication exists for communities also. Without information about what is going on in one’s community, the connections that tie people together begin to erode. For about nine months between December of 2009 and August of 2010, the Fern Ridge Area was without a local paper, and its absence was keenly felt. That voice of community activities helps people stay aware of events going on around them in a line of communication not easily replaced elsewhere. A letter to the editor to the urban daily paper has little chance of being published, but one to a local paper will almost certainly be printed.
An article published by the Stanford Review (http://web.stanford.edu/group/ruralwest/cgi-bin/drupal/content/rural-newspapers) had this to say:
Rural Newspapers Doing Better Than Their City Counterparts
“In the United States, some 7,500 community newspapers–papers with under 30,000 in circulation–still hit the streets, front porches, and mailboxes at least once a week. A 2010 survey conducted by the University of Missouri, Columbia for the National Newspaper Association produced some enviable statistics: More than three-quarters of respondents said they read most or all of a local newspaper every week. And in news to warm the heart of any publisher, a full 94 percent said that they paid for their papers.
The community newspaper business is healthier than metro newspapers, because it hasn’t been invaded by Internet competition,” says Al Cross, director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky. “Craigslist doesn’t serve these kinds of communities. They have no effective competition for local news. Rural papers own the franchise locally of the most credible information.”
Newspaper publishers are beginning to take notice of the fact that weekly newspapers in rural communities are continuing to thrive even as daily publications struggle to stay afloat. It is not difficult to understand why this would be the case. Larger city publications do not focus on the events, sporting and otherwise, that form the ties that connect people in nearby rural areas. Youth leagues of baseball, softball, and basketball, among other sports, draw enthusiastic crowds of family and friends, but the urban daily will seldom even report the scores, let alone have pictures. The local weekly, however, will give rundowns of the winners and the losers with pictures of the action. Parents and participants can see their efforts depicted, and they point with pride when their faces are in the photographs.
Other community events will be reported in a local weekly that are generally ignored by the urban daily paper. Library events, local theater productions, annual BBQ feasts, and Harvest Festivals or Scandinavian Festivals all get their coverage as an acknowledgement of how these things both build and reflect a community. The local paper will have articles on businesses and services that interact with people in its area, and these help people to know the support systems available to them. Informative articles concerning issues such as highway safety, local construction projects, and school events help the entire community stay connected in ways that would not be possible without their weekly newspaper. Another key aspect of the local weekly is the ongoing interest in the people who make a community work. Teachers, principals, business leaders, fire fighters and other local personalities are introduced to their community. These people often live without the recognition that a local paper can provide.
A key element in the local weekly is the Calendar of Meetings inside the front page. That allows the reader to review quickly who is scheduled to meet, and when and where that meeting can be found. The news briefs under the meeting schedule give advance notice of upcoming events and service opportunities scheduled. People can easily keep track of what is going on in their local government and their schools. While some of this information is available in the urban daily, it is frequently buried in small print sections difficult to access. This is particularly true of the deliberations and decisions by Veneta and Junction City governmental agencies. The weekly provides the only regular updates on those local government activities.
Running a weekly newspaper is not a task for the faint of heart. Because they serve rural communities, the advertising base is not large, and because it is available at local outlets, people often do not subscribe. Needless to say, it is not a short-cut to wealth or fame. However, the people who do it, stay with it because they have a commitment to their community and a vision of the niche they fill. The Owner/Publishers of D & P Connections, LLC, Pam and Jean Petersdorf, grew up in this area and have a wealth of experience with what it means to live in a rural area. The seventh generation of Petersdorfs are growing up here. They publish the Fern Ridge Review which covers events in Veneta, Elmira, Noti, Walton, Blachly, Alvadore, Triangle Lake, Crow, Lorane and Cheshire. Their other paper is the Junction City Tribune News which covers Junction City, Harrisburg, Monroe, Blachly, Alvadore, Triangle Lake and Cheshire. They have kept both papers going through significant personal hardships as they each worked their way through serious health issues. Not only do they search out and organize the content of the paper, they get up at 4 AM Mondays to pick it up, put labels on the ones being mailed, and deliver them to the Post Office and the localities that distribute it. Knowing the individual characteristics of the two communities, they keep the two papers separate so that the information will relate directly to the readers in those communities. Occasionally, articles can be shared by the two papers, but often the material is completely different.
Also published by D & P Connection, LLC is the local phone book. In a rural area, cell phone coverage can be absent or spotty, and many seniors do not have cell phones. A local phone book not only provides information about local residents, it also informs people about nearby business activities that they may otherwise not be aware of. A local phone book allows the user to quickly get to the local information they want without wading through the volume of information they don’t want from the surrounding cities, and because it doesn’t have that volume, the larger print size makes it easier to read.
Please take the time to evaluate the key role the local weekly paper plays in the life of our rural communities. It communicates many important aspects of a community’s function, and that communication link not only improves the function, in some cases it makes it possible. Arranging for a subscription will allow it to be delivered in the mail, assuring that nothing will be missed. The price is very reasonable when compared to the daily paper published by the nearby city. Business people who advertise in the local paper make connections with the people around them, both in adding a customer base and in making themselves visible to their neighbors. It is all too easy to underestimate the value this local voice adds to our communities.
Interested in reading more? Try this article: http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/13/opinion/la-oe-muller-weeklies-20110913
Op-ed on rural schools
Appeared in Register Guard and in Fern Ridge Review
As school board members serving in rural communities across the state, we know that decades of disinvestment in education have hit rural schools hard. Declining timber revenues and property tax cuts have reduced local funding, on top of years of cuts to state funding that devastated rural schools even more. Many schools have closed or turned to just a four-day school week to save money. Many lack school nurses, counselors, and librarians that keep our kids safe and enrich their learning. Too many students in rural Oregon aren’t getting the quality education that kids in other states receive. Many schools experience ever larger classes and the need to cut days to make the budget work. To retain our hardworking staff, we have had to cut far too many of the electives that improve the quality of education.
Increases in revenues to the State School Fund, the main source for K-12 funding in Oregon, would mean more resources for rural schools. Money is allocated to districts based on how many students they have, but a number of factors raise the per-student amount received by rural districts.
One of the main ways the state directs additional funds to rural areas is by increasing funding to school districts where more kids live in poverty. Rural areas struggle with higher poverty rates and elevated unemployment, even while statewide unemployment is at historic lows. In a vicious cycle, high unemployment and poverty push families to move away to find work, ultimately reducing enrollment so schools get even fewer state education dollars.
If the legislature does the right thing and passes the Oregon Education Investment Initiative, the $1 billion in new revenue for schools would mean increases in funding available for rural schools, at a time when investments are sorely needed.
Additional funds allow us to hire more teachers, bring back art, music, and physical education, or restore school nurses, librarians, and counselors. This funding also will help us with many of the unfunded mandates that truly are great ideas but cost money to fulfill properly such as dyslexia screening, domestic violence awareness, and abuse prevention. More funds will allow us to help our students learn to use the technology of the 21st Century as well as the skills needed to become instrumental in our community, state and nation. More investment means more career and technical education, and more college prep, introducing our students to the opportunities they deserve.
Investment in K-12 schools means investment in all schools. We know that rural Oregon is preparing the workforce that will make our local businesses thrive and revitalize our communities throughout the state. All children, the future citizens of this country, deserve the very best 21st Century education we can give them.
Twinkle Morton, Fern Ridge School Board Chair – Veneta, OR
Carl West, Mapleton School Board Member – Mapleton, OR
Scott Mills, North Marion School Board Member – Aurora, OR
David Bolton, Fern Ridge School Board Member – Veneta, OR
Andrea Larson, Fern Ridge School Board Member – Veneta, OR
Our views are our own, and don’t represent the views of our school boards.
Teacher Appreciation Observations from the current board chair
Twinkle Ann Morton
This little piece of information is essential this time as this is actually more of a rant than a newsy article. Caveat: Only my opinion… not that of the school board… know my regular readers got that point but just in case someone new picks up the paper- I’ll say it again!
I try and make it a habit to stay in touch with world and national news regardless of how depressing that might be. We usually mute the commercials, but there is one that is just as bad muted as it is on full blast. This comes from a national travel company who shall remain nameless both for the fear of libel and to be fair. First the background of why it infuriates me.
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Our nation’s teachers deserve more respect than we give them based on the things we ask them to do and the hours we expect them to put in to get that job done. I have heard the arguments from “Who wouldn’t want to work hard to get three months off in the summer?” to “I wish all I had to do is march kids to and from the cafeteria back to the classroom to earn that kind of money?” To both of those ‘thinkers’ I smile and say, “Obviously, we have never been asked to take the minds of our future leaders and help them ask and search for the right path while we try and address all the unfunded mandates of our state and our nation!” Well, I try and find a way to convey that information anyway. I confess, I taught grades 6-8 in Montana about FORTY years ago. As a teacher, I had things to worry about and papers to grade into the night and through the weekend, but I did not have the number of ‘added’ requirements that our teachers have now. Yet, we in the Fern Ridge District are blessed with some outstanding, caring and talented teachers who work long into the night, on weekends, and over those vacations. Oh yes, teachers do NOT have three months off in the summer. We end late and start early- well at least the teachers do as they prepare to help our children become all that they can be.
So now- onto my rant. This commercial definitely makes the point that our teachers are stressed and pushed to keep larger than ideal classes of children actively learning and being collaborative in the process. However, the very idea that any teacher in any district would allow the behavior portrayed in this commercial is idiotic. I am confident you have seen this commercial. Children splashing around while sitting in the aquarium, throwing things around the room, swiping the teacher’s phone are just some of the nonsense shown. I applaud the idea that teachers need and look forward to their vacation – when they can afford it. However, the portrayal of the children in that room is both an insult to the teacher and the parents of those children. I do have a sense of humor and understand tongue in cheek statements that make a point. But this is just darned insulting to the profession.
I mentioned “unfunded mandates”. I wrote an article back in July of last year talking about just some of those. At that time, there were at least a dozen added since the year 2000; these were added to forty more since my time of teaching and all are national requirements. Our state has added – and this is a partial list with the bill numbers listed in case you want to see them- a list of them:
- Dyslexia Screening & Support (SB 612)
- Abuse Prevention (SB 856)
- Dental Screening & Sealants (SB 660)
- School Nursing Provisions (SB 698)
- Domestic Violence Awareness (SB 790)
- Public Immunization Reporting (SB 895)
- Improving African-American Outcomes (HB 2016)
- Attendance Verification to ODOT (HB 2545)
- Safety Threat Drill Requirements (HB 2661)
- Oregon Civics Training for Teachers (HB 2955)
- Chronic Absenteeism Prevention Reporting (HB 3319)
- ELL Reporting (HB 3499)
- Instruct All Students in CPR (SB 79)
The full article is available at http://www.fernridge.k12.or.us/tmorton/page/2/ should you like to see it. Are any of these unimportant? Clearly, the answer is “No”. Does your child or grandchild need to be aware and learn from these? The answer here is just as clearly “Of course!”
I guess my rant ends with the concern that anyone might see this wildly chaotic classroom and the frozen, blurry eyed teacher as remotely possible. It most assuredly is not possible. Our teachers need our thanks in all ways we can find. In this world of random violence, this is the place where I worry about the safety of our television screen. Hmmm, I wonder if there is a mandate to control infuriated viewers?
For announcements pertaining to Fern Ridge School District and Education in general, follow me on Twitter #TAMnOregon. Thanks for reading my column this year and please submit comments and questions at tmorton@fernridge.k12.or.us.
I leave you with this quote to remember: “A teacher affects eternity; S/he can never tell where that influence stops.” This video is almost 10 minutes long but it is worth your time as well: bit.ly/Weareallone Until next time.
Student Happenings Out and About- Overall Great Stuff
By
Twinkle Ann Morton – School Board Chair
Let me remind you that this column is my opinion and my opinion only. I am not speaking for the board but merely making observations about educational and community topics and asking for your take on things.
What a whirlwind the end of the year is for anyone trying to keep up with our students. In addition to all the accolades the OBOB students deserve at all four schools, we add the teams that did so well in Destination Imagination. Four teams from schools entered into very strenuous competition with FRMS and VES 3rd grade moving on to state competition. Congratulations to all of our terrific students and coaches. Many, many hours went into preparation and competing. We can all be so very proud of our students and community.
Last weekend, I attended the ART, Inc. presentation of the Children’s Theater Play “Patch by Patch” adapted and Directed by Marti Stevens Byers. The play was a series of short skits where children from the community presented stories for each patch of a new quilt they were forming. The stories were cleverly done by the students that represented Veneta Elementary School and Fern Ridge Middle School as well as one young lady who is home schooled. The “Players” were two older students, one ‘computer schooled’ and one from Elmira High School as well as two ART, Inc Board Members from Veneta and Noti. The house was full on Sunday afternoon and from what I had heard each performance was well attended. The children and young adults were whimsical and absolutely charming.
I appreciate the chance ART, Inc. is giving the Fern Ridge Community to have a place to enjoy plays such as this one, and I am particularly pleased by the joining of the talent in our schools to get this chance to both experience and share the wonders of theater. I was also pleased to see a showing in the lobby of some of the beautiful quilts that people in the area have made. Two new plays began rehearsals this last weekend with performance dates slated for this summer. “Nunsense” a musical comedy and “On Golden Pond” about love and commitment make for exciting possibilities for our summer enjoyment.
On Sunday, I attended the Fern Ridge presentation of “Our Own Selves” where local students from Veneta and Elmira Elementary Schools as well as Elmira High School talked about what makes them who they are. Emily Eagle-Eye read some of the poems that Serra Lafferty’s 7th grade Humanities Classes wrote at Fern Ridge Middle School and designed the cover art for the Program while others were posted around the auditorium. I struggle to find the words that encompass what I experienced there. I wonder now what I expected. Whatever it was, it was not the deep, emotional commitment of each to his or her own truths. From beginning to end and one by one, the self-assured, a little bit nervous, young person stepped up and handed a crowd of admiring families and Fern Ridge School District Staff and School Board members a sampling of each and every student’s inner strengths. Our thanks to Angie Pebworth’s guidance to a program which is so important in serving our very diverse students.
Still to come are the Fern Ridge Middle School and Elmira High School Choir and later in the month the band presentations. Awards Night and Graduation pretty much finish up the year at the high school. Each school has exciting things happening as the year comes to an end. What an exciting time of the year for all of us.
Once again, thank you for your comments and questions. If you have missed any of my columns or would like to read one again to refer to something I said [or didn’t say], they are all available on the District webpage…http://www.fernridge.k12.or.us/ Go to School Board under the District heading. Find the unflatteringly, accurate photo of me and above my picture is “Twinkle’s page”. I close with a quote from one of my favorites Maya Angelou “When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.” A must see video is the new ad from Heineken at https://youtu.be/8wYXw4K0A3g
Please write to me at tmorton@fernridge.k12.or.us and follow me on Twitter “tweeting” only about FRSD and issues related to education- #TAM@Oregon. Until next time.
First of all, let me begin by reminding my readers that this column is my opinion and my opinion only. By that I mean I am not speaking for the board- merely making observations about educational topics and asking for your perspective and input. I joined the School Board in August of 2008. I was chair previously from 2012-2014; my elected term expires the end of June in 2019. I apologize for my long lapse in articles. It is certainly no indication of a lack of wonderful things happening in the district. There are so many. I have added a Twitter account [trying to keep up with the President] letting folks know of coming events and or achievements that occur along the way. If you are interested, I am at @TAMnOregon. Join me.
I’ve been asked by several people why I always start my article this way. The reason is that any board member must clearly state that what is being said or written is his or her opinion and hers or his alone- none of us speak for the board- unless the spokesperson- usually the chair- says those famous words – “The board has…” [some position]. So now that I have that question answered, let me get to the reason for my writing.
I did an article in November about the District Office remodel. Much of the bond is finished, and soon we will be completing final to-do sheets. In that article, I mentioned the people working in that building and thanked them for work they do mostly behind the scenes and mostly without any recognition. Two of these people have longevity in the district and need special recognition.
Greg Baker was born and raised in the area around Noti. He attended school in Noti and graduated from Elmira High School. Greg and his wife have two sons and two daughters who went through the Fern Ridge District schools as well and now has six grandchildren and one on the way. He began work for the district in 1998 and has overseen the district facilities during this time. The bond adventure posed much added work during the time of construction and resettling and continues to this day. He and his crew worked tirelessly to get the Elmira Elementary School up and running by the beginning of school this January. He supervises the stewards of our buildings which is another unheralded group of workers. Without them, our buildings would deteriorate from the inside out with clutter, dirt and debris. The budget for personnel at all levels is tight so there is a constant juggling of staff that likely makes Greg and all his personnel scratch their head and make do with some of the best service to our other hard working staff – the crew at every school. My thanks to Greg for his 19+ and counting years of service.
The other person I want to mention is Debbie Moore. Debbie was born and raised not far from here in Mapleton, Oregon. She married her high school sweetheart and football hero Dewey. She worked for the Mapleton School District for a while before moving to the Fern Ridge District in 1999. She and Dewey have one daughter and one son and four grandsons. It is hard to describe all the work that she covers so well so I will start with a small part of her ‘general job definition:’
“The Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent works under the general supervision of the Superintendent, providing confidential secretarial support for the Board of Directors, Superintendent, and other District Office administrators. The positon performs highly confidential and complex assignments and is responsible for interacting with district personnel, public, and outside governmental agencies where a high level of independent judgment and discretion is required.”
This hits the high points, but for me, the most important point is missed. That point is continuity and history. There is a musty room in the basement with the records of things in the past. As chair, I have wondered about the history of different issues that have faced the board and the community and how they transpired. Debbie knows the information and can either tell me what I need/want to know or knows where to find that information. She has referred me many times to an important community person to talk with in regard to some issue or event. That is just two of the many important things I have come to rely on from Debbie.
More importantly, Debbie keeps me centered and listens to my concerns. She does the work of publishing information and taking notes at all of the various meetings she attends. She is my right and often my left hand. Much of my success during the time I have been on the board is because of her gentle guiding hand and her knowledge. I am, of course, writing to thank both she and Greg for all their hard work on behalf of the district and the many ways they have helped me do my best work. But there is another element here which is WHY AM I WRITING NOW?
The board just heard recently of Debbie’s coming retirement. On one side, I am thrilled by her prospect of staying at home, fussing over her grandsons, swimming, walking and biking and playing with her beloved dog, Jack. She and Dewey have years of enjoying their lives- camping, watching sports, and just being together. I would never wish anything less. But I do wonder about the huge shoes that are left to be filled by her absence.
A co-worker once told me that “Change is good.” I certainly hope that is true for Debbie. And knowing that makes it easier for me to recognize that a new person in this position is just one more thing in life to get used to. Change, indeed, can be good.
Please continue to write to me at tmorton@fernridge.k12.or.us and read my articles- maybe even follow me on Twitter @TAMnOregon. I hope to reach new readers so share with your friends and loved ones. I leave you with this quote from Tony Robbins. “Change is inevitable. Progress is optional.” Finally, as many of you know, I am a transplant from the great state of Montana, and after 40+ years, I still revel in the scenery in both my home state and my state of choice. Enjoy this video: https://youtu.be/GD0k5ic2znA Until next time-
ACHIEVEMENTS
On February 11, 2017, the first Annual Hall of Fame was held at Elmira High School. The purpose of this event is to recognize, honor and provide an enduring memorial for those persons whose outstanding contributions have enriched the athletic program and brought honor to the school. The recognition of past individuals and their significant contributions to EHS Athletics will serve to provide models for future generations to emulate. Recognition is given to entire teams, individuals team members and coaches as well as other significant figures in the district.
Teams honored Saturday night include the 1964 Men’s Champion Basketball team and the 1993 and 2004 Champion Softball teams. Fifteen individuals were also honored from different teams as well as community members Gary and June Horkey [40+ years of service],Tom Page [30+ years of service], and Dwight and Ginger Warternbee [20+ years of service]. We thank them for their thoughtful donations and time which have allowed EHS students to also reach their goals of being involved in athletics and other extra-curricular activities.
On Monday, the 6th of February, the Fern Ridge School District board determined the number of nonresident students that will be accepted at each FRSD school for the school year of 2017-2018. [HB3681]
The open enrollment window is March 1 to April 1. As always, if there are more requests for transfers than slots, a lottery will be held. A student that is accepted into the Fern Ridge School District will then be a ‘resident’ of the FRSD. The open enrollment slots are available at all of our schools thanks to the strong Community support of our soon to be completed bond issue. Interested non-resident families must submit a completed open enrollment form to the FRSD District Office by 4pm on April 1.
For further information contact Debbie Moore at the District Office 541-935-2253, ext. 1203
First of all, let me begin by reminding my readers that this column is my opinion and my opinion only. By that I mean that I am not speaking for the board merely making observations about educational topics and asking for your perspective and input. I joined the School Board in August of 2008 and my term expires the end of June 2019. My dear mentor, Craig Soderberg, resigned on Monday leaving a gaping hole to fill for someone who believes in working to improve and maintain the great things we have. We are accepting applications to fill a four-month appointment on the school board for Position #4. This appointment is through June 30, 2017. Registered voters who have lived in the District for at least one year are encouraged to apply. Applications are available at the District Office, 88834 Territorial Road, Elmira or by going to district webpage and downloading [http://www.fernridge.k12.or.us] For information call 541-935-2253 ext. 1203.
Now to our ‘Hidden Figures’. As you know, we are close to completing the commitment of the bond. Many local workers have toiled tirelessly at completing these tasks. We have some final touch ups remaining. You have seen their trucks and their signs surrounding tasks, and maybe even stopped and talked with them on a nice, dry day. But too many essential pieces of this amazingly large puzzle go unnoticed- until now. Hence my title!!! [and a great movie too]
It goes without saying that Superintendent Gary Carpenter spent hours and hours on the job of seeing that the needs of the staff, students and community were met. A local advisory committee made up of valuable community members met regularly and heard about the trials and tribulations of making things all work and gave input. I thank them for their hard work.
Many valuable members of the District Office staff worked tirelessly to complete bond requirements. Quanah Bennett kept the money matters in control- paying out for services rendered and making sure budgets were held in check. Greg Baker persevered through literally thousands of building changes and adaptations not to mention moving way too much stuff from one place to another. Jeff Thiessen vigorously looked for ways to save the District money doing landscaping, digging and dealing with many changes through the months.
Michael Bateman’s steadfast desire to get the technology in place on time began Day 1 of the bond preparation as he planned and worked at acquiring the best equipment, wiring, and services to make the district the very best complement to our excellent teachers who worked around the construction themselves. Debbie Moore helped keep the office functioning and reaching the needs of the community while the front door nearly collapsed in upon her and the racket from the siding and roofing was a continual reminder of the hard work being done. Everyone working in the District Office spent months of the summer with hammering, sawing, missing doors, and strange entrances required. My thanks go out to all of them.
Last and definitely not least is Emil Hameed. This man resolutely worked toward making sure the Fern Ridge District got the very best and the exact results we wanted and needed. Living in Salem, meant that he had that lovely drive everyday he worked in the district. Emil singularly took on all phases of the projects- coordinating and debating choices and prices while overseeing the work before the final inspections. I so appreciate his dedication to doing the job right.
So, thank you all- and to the community- Thank you as well for your patience and your support. Our community’s children will benefit from this for years to come, and if you have no children in school, know that your property values will increase because of the value of having a strong school district.
I look forward to continuing my column and answering your questions so please continue to write to me at tmorton@fernridge.k12.or.us and read my articles. I hope to reach new readers so share with your friends and loved ones. I leave you with this quote from Carlos Ghosn. “Any job very well done that has been carried out by a person who is fully dedicated is always a source of inspiration.” This 4 minute video from National Geographic called Ice Music at https://youtu.be/YL-8zxvuuyE will show you some of the things our imagination can conceive and create. Until next time- Be safe.
I have been taking a too long vacation from my posts and apologize. It is not for lack of interests nor have I been too busy. I think I have been ‘swamped’ by events both national and local. Our bond is near completion, and I will be writing an article for the paper soon. I am a bit frustrated too as I continue to hear from the same people. Don’t get me wrong, these are valuable communications, and I am grateful for them. But I worry that this is not getting out to enough people OR, far worse, apathy has overtaken all of us… so I am dedicating myself to do more communicating and ask that you join me in expressing your opinions, likes and dislikes and asking all questions. I promise I will continue to answer you.
I am adding a picture I found of a saying that says it all 
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