With constant news updates and social media discussions lately about public schools and federal policies, it can be difficult to make sense of everything. I’d like to take a few moments to share how our district is staying focused on what matters — our students. 

First, I want you to know that our district is committed to our Strategic Plan: ensuring all students receive the care, support and instruction needed to graduate from high school with plans for their most successful futures. Every child deserves access to safe, caring and effective schools where they can discover their passion for learning and a path to becoming contributing members of our community. Next, I will share a few updates based on recent events.

Federal Funding: What We Know

I continue to closely follow developments at the federal level that may impact our district. It is important to know what types of funding school districts receive from the US Department of Education. It is also important to note that the department does not control school curriculum or policy. Federal funds that primarily support K-12 education:

• Special Education: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding supports services for students with disabilities, including specialized instruction, therapies and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• School Nutrition: This service funds free and reduced-price meals for eligible students through programs like the National School Lunch Program.  
• Support for low-income students: Title I provides extra funding to schools with high percentages of low-income students to help close achievement gaps. The majority of our schools receive Title I support. 

Most of our funding comes from local and state sources, but federal dollars remain crucial for supporting vulnerable students and key education services. At this time, we are still receiving these funds. If changes occur to the US Department of Education’s operations or design, my hope is that government leaders will find an alternative method for distributing these dollars to schools.

Budget Priorities: Focus on Student Success

As we look ahead to the 2025-26 school year, our district is carefully reviewing our budget to ensure our spending prioritizes student success. State funding estimates are expected in March, but we are already assessing factors such as decreased enrollment and increased costs that all school districts in Oregon are facing this year from PERS rate increases. 

Through careful financial planning, our district has managed to build a healthy reserve fund for unexpected costs. We will be working to adjust our budget to make sure it reflects our lower enrollment while maintaining the services our students rely on. We plan to use reserve funds to help offset some of our cost increases. As always, budget discussions over the next few months will prioritize transparency and alignment with our Strategic Plan.

Student Success: More Than Just Test Scores

Recent news about Oregon student achievement reveals the challenges that come with relying on standardized testing to fully evaluate our schools. I am well aware that much work needs to be done to improve student proficiency in reading, writing, math and graduation rates. But we cannot ignore the many successes our students experience every day and the work our teachers are doing to regularly assess student learning and respond accordingly.  

Our students are incredibly talented. They are winning robotics tournaments, working toward healthcare careers, supporting their peers, volunteering in their community, and balancing jobs with extracurricular activities and academics. Through our ongoing partnerships with families and community leaders, we will see student achievement improve. 

One of our key focuses to improving achievement involves developing career pathways that students can access starting in high school. These pathways provide opportunities for students to find meaning in their education. They encompass a range of Career and Technical Education fields, from advanced medical careers and manufacturing to fire science and forestry. Our students have increased opportunities to earn college credits for free in high school, transition seamlessly to Umpqua Community College, and graduate with the degrees or certifications necessary to enter high-wage, high-demand careers right here in Douglas County. 

Our emphasis on Career and Technical Education is backed up by the data. While our four-year graduation rate reached nearly 80% for the Class of 2024, the students who earned at least two CTE credits during their time at Roseburg High School graduated at a rate of 95%. We are on the right track. You can read the latest news about how we’re innovating to increase these opportunities for students on our website here. 

So much great work is happening in our schools — more than I can fit into a single newsletter. I know that there are many conversations happening about public education and policy changes, but I also know that public schools are the foundation of our communities and our democracy. We will always focus on making improvements, and we will always be here for our community’s children.  

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our district. I hope that you will stay tuned in coming months by reading our newsletters, checking out our School Board meetings and following us on social media. There are so many bright spots. Let’s not allow the negative nature of news cycles to darken the spirits and successes of our incredible students. 

Sincerely,
Jared Cordon
Superintendent