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Aquatics team makes strides, A8

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022 | theworldlink.com |

McGaughy has big plans with Coos Bay schools wants and needs of the community. “They need to tell me and the district what their priorities are for the district, and we’ll build plans to make that happen,” McGaughy said. “I want to use year one of my tenure to listen to the district.” McGaughy said she is reaching out to the community because she understands schools cannot function alone when it comes to helping children. “A human being is a complex individual, and when you’re in education, you’re developing a human,” she said. “You can’t do it alone. What role does the community need the schools to have? Community partners are critical. It’s best for the student and best for the community.” Less than a month before the start of school, McGaughy said the district is making good progress in getting ready. Work at Madison School in ongoing, but the school will be ready on day one. In addition, the district is only three teachers short of being fully staffed, a

By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

Charis McGaughy has only been the superintendent of Coos Bay Schools for just over a month, but she is already making big plans for her first year. In a discussion with The World on Tuesday, McGaughy said the school board voted to let her begin work on a five-year strategic plan that will guide decisions the district makes into the future. But making that plan won’t be easy. Before anyone starts working on a strategic plan, McGaughy said she needs to listen to the community. “I want to be out listening to community and know what their priorities are,” she said. “I’m assuming I’ll do 25 or 30 listening sessions. I’ll go twice to every building (school), once to do a listening session with staff and once to listen to parents.” She said at the meetings, she will let those in attendance do most of the talking, because she wants the district’s goal to reflect the

rarity in today’s world. After moving from the South Coast Education Services District to lead Coos Bay schools, McGaughy said she is lucky to have existing relationships with the other superintendents in the region. “I have close relationships with all 10 superintendents in the region,” she said. “It’s nice as a new superintendent to already have the contacts. It’s a great support network.” As school prepares to open, McGaughy said the district is preparing to open with no noticeable COVID restrictions, something she said is a relief to parents and teachers alike. “It will be optional whether a student wears a mask or not,” she said. “The staff is still required to have two vaccines or an exception to be employed. They have not weighed in on boosters. We will continue with the same safety and mitigation efforts. If someone is sick, we don’t want them in school.” McGaughy said she is aware of the new CDC recommenda-

tions that no longer differentiate between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, but she said until the Oregon Department of Education changes its rule, the district cannot make changes. “COVID is still here,” she said. “We’re going to have more people positive with less severe symptoms. We’re still going to have staff shortages, so, if anyone wants to be a substitute teacher, we desperately need some.” It’s also easier than ever to be licensed as a substitute, after the state waived a requirement to have a bachelor’s degree. Until October, the requirements are to be over 18 and able to pass a criminal background check and a drug test. The pay has increased to $201 a day, and the district is offering to reimburse the cost of getting a state license after a teacher teaches 10 days. Another big change in the district is with the completion of the new Madison school and upgrades to Sunset, all schools in the district will have new safety measures that limit who can

go into the buildings. Anyone entering a school will have to go through a vestibule and into the office before being allowed inside the school. When work at Madison is complete, it will make the third new, or rebuilt school over the last three years. McGaughy said the district is ready to show off those schools to the public. “We’re going to have open houses for the community,” she said. “Because of COVID, we didn’t get to have open houses for Eastside and Marshfield Junior High. We want them to see what their tax money is being spent on.” One other big change this coming school year is a new curriculum for all English/language arts classes. “Last year, the adopted a brand-new English/language arts curriculum, and this year we are putting it in,” McGaughy said. “It’s a big deal. Part of the English/language arts adoption is aligned so we can monitor each student and see how much progress they’re making.”

Harley lovers unite in North Bend By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

Just the name Harley-Davidson brings out some sort of emotion in many people – excitement, joy, fear. There is just something about Harleys that make them stand out. For some, owning and riding one is more than transportation, more than fun, more than excitement. For some, it’s a way of life. Last weekend, that was evident across the region as more than 200 Harley enthusiasts came to Coos Bay for the Central Coast Rally, giving Harley lovers from throughout Oregon and opportunity to visit, celebrate and ride together. The highlight of the three-day rally at The Mill Casino was when one lucky rider won a brand-new Harley XL 1200NS, but winning a new bike was not the goal for many. Hawk Camacho came down for Canyonville to take part in the rally, his first rally in Oregon.

Photos by David Rupkalvis/The World

Above: A line of Harley-Davidson motorcycles is parked at The Mill Casino. Right: Two riders finish up the Poker Run, rejoining the Central Coast Rally at The Mill Casino.

Please see HARLEY, Page A2

After the storm

Survivor recounts Pelican Bay storm 50 years later By BREEANA LAUGHLIN The World

David Alan Shinkle vividly remembers the day he lost his grandfather. It was 50 years ago – on Aug. 16, 1972 – a day that would change the course of his life. It was the day a tragic storm took the lives of 13 fishermen in Pelican Bay. Shinkle, like many young men and women, had the pleasure of spending summers with his grandparents. He remembers beach combing, shooting guns and just doing the things that young boys do. When he was a teenager, he started fishing with his grandfather – Clayton Dooley. Dooley was captain of the “Dixie Lee,” a 35-foot diesel-powered trawler based out of Brookings. Shinkle took to commercial fishing quickly – so much so that at only 16 years old, he was planning to make a career of it. “I was going to go to a vocational school and go to a nav-

Contributed photos

Above: David Alan Shinkle and his grandfather, Clayton Dooley, were fishing on the Dixie Lee the day of the storm. Right: The Brookings Harbor in the early-1970s.

Please see STORM, Page A3

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