Christine Blouke

The Parkrose School District's Continuous Improvement Plan aims to close achievement and opportunity gaps, ensuring all students are prepared for college and career. It envisions every child reading, thinking critically, and graduating ready for post-secondary success. The plan identifies key needs, particularly persistent achievement gaps for African American/Black, Hispanic, Multiracial, and Students with Disabilities in mathematics and English Language Arts. Its long-term goals, with targets extending to 2022, focus on increasing 9th-grade graduation rates, promoting above-typical reading growth for students below grade level, and enhancing mathematics achievement and growth for all student groups. Key strategic pillars include High School Success, Multi-tiered Systems of Support, integration of Mathematical Practices, and Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices.

The meeting included a land acknowledgment recognizing the ancestral and unseated lands of several regional tribes. Key discussion points centered on a major presentation regarding a community green infrastructure project at Russell, which aims to convert unused lawn area into a natural landscape featuring trees, student learning opportunities, and native planting to enhance ecological and cultural connection. The project, funded by a nearly $174,000 grant (the largest in the state for an elementary student project, using no general funds), focuses on water catchment, drought tolerance, and soil health improvement, including the use of nurse logs and bacteria inoculation. The presentation also touched upon planned learning centers, integration with an existing garden project, and next steps involving weed control and a three-year maintenance plan. Board members expressed significant excitement and inquired about volunteer opportunities and paths within the new natural area.

The meeting included a land acknowledgement and a moment of silence for Representative Quatron. The agenda was amended to include an executive session after presentations. A government affairs update was presented, covering advocacy efforts at the local, regional, and state levels, including advancing community safety, strengthening early learning, expanding access to behavioral health supports, and advocating for the restoration of critical funding streams. The board discussed potential budget cuts due to federal legislation and the need to protect education funding. There was also a discussion on accountability in Oregon and the importance of improving student outcomes.

The meeting included a land acknowledgement and a reminder to student representatives regarding agenda questions. Public comments were addressed, followed by recognitions, including honoring Donell Morgan for his contributions to the Park Rose community as an executive director and basketball coach. Tributes were given to Donnell Morgan for his leadership, mentorship, and impact on young people, with emphasis on the habits formed within the game, being on time, presenting yourself, and being able to articulate yourself verbally and written.

The budget committee meeting discussed meeting procedures, questions submitted by the committee, and a resolution. Key discussion points included the cigarette grant, transportation services for students with individual education plans (IEPs), and potential cost-saving measures. The committee also addressed the district's permanent rate and local options. Additionally, there was a discussion about the need to review the boundaries of the district and the implements ultimate development properties.