Karen Wheeler

The Neah-Kah-Nie School District budget for 2025-2026 includes targeted investments in the Strategic Plan to increase student achievement and support student health and wellbeing, investments in family and community partnerships, continued sustained professional development, and staying current with the textbook adoption cycle. The budget also addresses investment challenges such as the ending fund balance trending down, the unknown outcome of the Oregon Department of Forestry's Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) & Forest Management Plan, and rising expenditures.

The strategic plan for Neah-Kah-Nie School District #56 focuses on enhancing educational outcomes through a comprehensive approach that addresses key areas identified in the needs assessment. The plan aims to foster an inclusive learning environment, expand career and technical education (CTE) opportunities, improve early literacy, and provide equitable access to high-quality vocational programs. It also integrates significant improvements in early literacy, particularly in grades K-5, by providing resources for professional development, high-dosage tutoring, and extended learning opportunities.

The meeting agenda included recognition of a volunteer, approval of consent agenda items (minutes, budget committee minutes, travel, and personnel report), communications (oral and written, including reports and letters), reports on curriculum adoption, literacy grants, accreditation, hall of fame, and elementary math curriculum pilot, and fiscal matters (payment of bills and fiscal summary). The agenda also listed hiring for classified positions (head secretary, yearbook advisor, and reading tutors).

The meeting covered old business, including updates on communication with advisory committees and a test run of a shared workspace. New business included the cancellation of the July meeting due to the absence of a school board meeting that month. Committee members provided input, with discussions focusing on bias incident reports, the use of racial slurs, and the need for a follow-up reporting form. The importance of supporting victims while educating perpetrators was emphasized, along with a focus on educational opportunities rather than solely consequences. A robust discussion on possible ways forward with incident reports took place.

The meeting addressed several key issues. Discussion included the addition of a new member from the budget committee, the planning of twice-yearly meetings independent of the Superintendent or board members, updates on a health and wellness fair and an ESD grant, and the potential addition of another student member. The creation of a "Calling In" form and the development of an attendance policy were also discussed, along with the selection of rotating facilitators and scribes or electing yearly officers.