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Dorena School earns national recognition ideas: a focus on learning, decisions based on evidence, a collaborative culture, and shared accountability for student growth. “Every student needs to be learning at a high level,” Pixton said, “and there can’t be an excuse for why they are not.” When Pixton arrived in 2020, Dorena faced significant challenges. Staff morale was low, instructional practices were inconsistent, and the school carried a reputation as a “throwaway” rural school for students and staff. The pandemic intensified those pressures. Because many families lacked reliable internet access, nearly all students came to campus for limited in person instruction in 2020. The focus that year was on care and connection— ensuring students had food, support, and a familiar adult to greet them each day. As the school transitioned back to full classrooms, Pixton and her team began reshaping expectations. Math instruction, which had previously School District has partnered with been offered only every other day Solution Tree for the past four years in some grades, became consistent. to strengthen Professional Learning Staff committed to common goals Communities (PLC) across all and shared strategies. Old assumpschools. Solution Tree is a nationtions were replaced with a belief ally respected K–12 professional that all students could grow, regarddevelopment organization known less of background or circumstance. for its “PLC at Work” model, which emphasizes collaboration, data CULTURE CHANGE AND driven instruction, and collective BELONGING responsibility for student success. A survey at the end of the pandemic revealed that Dorena School REBUILDING AFTER THE had some of the lowest staff morale PANDEMIC scores in the school district. Pixton Dorena’s progress is rooted in made rebuilding trust and unity a that framework. Principal Devin priority. Pixton, now in her sixth year lead“The belonging piece came later ing the school, began implementing after the culture work,” she said. PLC practices in 2021, as students Today, Dorena has the highest returned from pandemic disrupstaff ‘sense of belonging’ in the tions. The model centers on four big district, based on surveys given

CINDY WEELDREYER Cottage Grove Sentinel

A post pandemic turnaround lifts staff belonging and student growth to district leading levels. Dorena School, the familiar white schoolhouse on Row River Road that has anchored this valley community since the 1940s, has earned national recognition as a “Promising Practices School” through Solution Tree’s “PLC at Work” program. The honor marks a major milestone for the rural PreK–8 school and positions it to pursue the next level of distinction: becoming a “Model PLC at Work” School, a status held by only two, much larger, schools in Oregon. The recognition also reflects a broader district effort. South Lane

at the beginning and end of each school year. In education, belonging refers to whether staff feel valued, supported, and connected to their school community. Research shows that when adults experience strong belonging, collaboration improves and student learning rises. The school’s staff of 20 operates with a collective mindset. “Everyone here is recognized as a teacher,” Pixton said. “Kids don’t even know who is certified and who is classified.”

ACADEMIC GROWTH AND ENROLLMENT GAINS

Academic results reflect that commitment. When Pixton arrived, only 26 percent of students were reading at grade level. Today, more than half are meeting benchmarks. Enrollment has grown from 65 students to 116, including 17 in PreK. The school’s literacy specialists work intensively with students who miss class time to prevent them from falling behind. “It takes everyone on our staff and positive parental involvement to ensure student success,” Pixton said. Dorena’s whole child approach is another key factor. Social and emotional learning is woven throughout the day, helping students regulate emotions, advocate for themselves, collaborate with peers, and stay organized. A simple break system allows students to signal when they need time to reset or celebrate progress.

STRONGER FAMILY CONNECTIONS Community engagement has also strengthened. Many families were initially hesitant to participate in

Remembering the 56: Society Unveils WWII Honor Project Counties. Lockhart has produced a video featuring all 56 memorial posters created for the young men who died in the war. The video is expected to go live on the Society’s YouTube channel the day of the event. The group has also been assembling a comprehensive book titled Veterans of World War II, South Lane and North Douglas Counties, Oregon. The manuscript stands at 613 pages without the index. Although the book will not be ready in time for the April 22 event, members say the work has been deeply meaningful. Monsive said the research process has been both rewarding and emotionally difficult. “I found out I didn’t know as much as I thought about WWII,” she said. “When researching the 56 young men, I found resources that helped me identify where they were when they lost their lives. I can’t unread some of what I read. I have cried more in the last six months than I have in years.” The project uncovered stories of sailors, pilots, and ground crew who served in major battles including Iwo Jima, Bataan, Luzon, and Biak. More than half of the men documented are buried overseas. One is entombed on the USS Arizona. Monsive said an original WWII poster loaned by the Cottage Grove Museum has brought visitors to tears. To build the book, members reached out to families directly, searched social media for relatives, and used forensic genealogy to confirm connections. “People would ask if we had their Uncle or that their Mother served, and then we made sure we had them in our book,” Monsive said. At the April 22 event, the Society will display many of the posters and

CINDY WEELDREYER Cottage Grove Sentinel

The Cottage Grove Genealogical Society will host a Military Day Open House on Monday, April 22 from 1 to 6 p.m. in the Shepherd Room at the Community Center. The free event invites the public to walk the Society’s Honor Gallery, explore military displays, ask research questions, and learn how to preserve family service records. The afternoon will also include informational handouts, a community raffle, refreshments, and brief remarks from former mayor Jeff Gowing honoring local veterans. Behind the scenes, members have spent months working on a major World War II project that has grown far beyond its original scope. Society President Debra Monsive said the effort began with a single collection, the World War II clippings saved by longtime resident Phyllis Pruitt. After Pruitt passed away, the Society inherited her files. Member Carolin Pettit suggested transcribing the clippings into a booklet. What they discovered changed the direction of the project entirely. “We realized the clippings were only the tip of the iceberg,” Monsive said. “When Carolin and I started researching, we kept finding more and more young men who were Killed In Action. I decided we needed to do something to honor their sacrifice and started making the posters.” The project expanded quickly as more volunteers joined the work. Pettit, Monsive, Rick Hazeltine, Robin Jackman, Casey Woodard, and videographer Jim Lockhart have spent months documenting the stories of local servicemen and women from South Lane and North Douglas

INDEX

school events due to past experiences or discomfort with public education. Dorena responded by creating low pressure, student led gatherings where parents could simply show up, share a meal, and enjoy the atmosphere. Attendance grew quickly, and today the school hosts an annual end of year celebration that brings families together in a relaxed, welcoming setting. “It feels like a family,” Pixton said.

DISTRICT RECOGNITION AND LEADERSHIP PRAISE

Dorena’s achievement was highlighted at the South Lane School Board’s April meeting. Director of Teaching and Learning Jeremy Smith introduced the award presentation and praised the school’s

School district prepares for tighter 2026-27 budget Board hears update on revenue pressures, staffing costs, and long term stability CINDY WEELDREYER Cottage Grove Sentinel

Early budget projections show South Lane School District facing a significant deficit next year, and district leaders say reductions will be part of the work ahead. Superintendent Todd Miller presented a high level update on the 2026–27 budget outlook, noting that staff were already deep into next year’s planning. At the April 6 meeting he walked the board through revenue trends, expenditure pressures, and the steps the district was taking to stabilize the General Fund.

BUDGET OUTLOOK FOR 2026–27

Administrators developed a proposed budget they will share with staff in each building in a series of after school “budget roadshow” sessions. Miller said the goal was to provide transparency, answer questions, and gather input before final decisions are made.

family boards created by members. Community members are welcome to bring military items to display, although the Society notes it cannot guarantee the safety of personal artifacts. Raffle prizes include DNA kits from MyHeritage and AncestryDNA, a Spa Day gift basket, books, locally

produced videos, and a genealogy starter file box. Additional prize donations are welcome. Monsive said the group is excited to share the work even though the book is not yet complete. “We are honored to tell their stories and to remember those who gave their all,” she said.

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