TSN228 by C.M.I.

INSIDE

Full Service Nursery Home Decor & Gift Shop Pottery Landscape Construction Irrigation Bulk Soils and Rock Delivery Available

26 th ANNUAL FLORENCE 26th HOME & GARDEN SHOW SECTION

Siuslaw News News & views that define our community

$1.25

thesiuslawnews.com

Siuslaw News Florence, Oregon Wednesday, February 28, 2024 Number 9 • 133 years

541-997-5973

Riding the sand wave Renowned sandboarding Pioneer named Rhododendron Festival Grand Marshal

The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce just named their grand marshal for the 117th annual Florence (Oregon) Rhododendron Festival grand floral parade. Lon Beale, known internationally as Dr. Dune for pioneering the sport of sandboarding and founding both Sand Master Park and Dune

Riders International, will lead the parade and serve as an ambassador for Florence. Beale, and his wife Robin, have been Florence residents for about 24 years since opening the world’s first sandboarding park in 2000. Sand Master Park has hosted everything from beginners’ lessons to world championships to televised competitions for many years.

Why Florence?

We have sandboarded all over the world and found Florence to have some of the most rideable sand on the planet. Plus, there is plenty of it, easily accessed; and Florence has been so supportive of our efforts since day one. Florence has it all See SAND, page A5

SVCS drops Hillsdale membership The following press release was issued by SVCS Tuesday, Feb 20. The Siuslaw Valley Charter School Founding Board believes we have more than adequately addressed concerns regarding our relationship with the Hillsdale College K-12 office by providing substantial supporting documentation, including a letter from ORS338 co-sponsor Representative Mannix of the district’s misinterpretation of the statute. However, we have made the decision to move forward using the public school classical education curriculum only, and not as a member school. We will inform the Hillsdale College K-12 office that SVCS will no longer seek their teacher training services. It is important to note that the public classical K-12 curriculum developed by Hillsdale that we will be using, is approved and used in public charter schools all over the country The letter of intent in question has never held any legal control over SVCS, however the SVCS board will rescind the letter of intent today in an effort to move quickly and efficiently into the contract negotiation stage. Our goal is to begin the Head of Schools hiring process now and open our doors in September of 2025, offering public school choice in the Siuslaw School District.

Woman rescued from ocean near Yachats

| Lon Beale

SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

School District opts to write state-legal charter contract [College],” Director Kady Sneddon began. “We didn’t receive that. My feeling is, and I understand and hear their arguments about [SVCS] retainAt its Feb. 14 meeting, the ing control, but a member school, Siuslaw School District Board to me, is a very clear affiliation and of Directors chose not to deny a frankly, it’s not something we need contract to Siuslaw Valley Charter to put ourselves or our district at School (SVCS), but instead, to produce a contract that meets all Oregon risk on. They want a clear path to move forward. I think the cleanest statutes regarding charter schools. and easiest way to do that is to deny The votes came at the end of a the application and let them take it long discussion regarding many now familiar aspects of the charter’s up with the Oregon Department of proposal to affiliate with Michigan’s Education. I don’t think this is our Hillsdale College, a known religious fight to fight.” Chair Brian Lacouture said institution. another option would be to create Discussion a contract based on the approved “We asked for a letter to disapplication from October which does avow their affiliation with Hillsdale not contain a third party affiliation. By TONY REED Siuslaw News

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B5-B6

“It would indeed still require that, and it would be in the contract, that there is not that third party affiliation,” he said. Lacouture explained that the charter’s proposed curriculum is not at issue, but its governance and affiliation are. Director John Barnett agreed, suggesting the board use Oregon Department of Education guidance, as well as spell out the board’s expectations for a contract. Lacouture added that if those expectations are not met, the contract could not be ratified. Director Dianna Pimlott suggested SVCS had essentially met requirements to disavow Hillsdale college, through its assertions that “ affiliation” did not constitute control of

the charter, thereby meeting ORS338 standards. “It doesn’t matter how we define affiliation,” Director Maureen Miltenberger answered, “and it doesn’t matter how they define affiliation. What matters is when it gets to the state and they say you are in compliance or not in compliance. That’s where it matters what the definition of that word is.” She said it will be up to the state to determine whether the board is in compliance and could punitively take money from the district. Director Josh Haberly agreed, saying, “We don’t know either way, there’s an argument on both sides See CHARTER, page A4

US Coast Guard and Yachats fire personnel were sent to Bob’s Beach Sunday when it was reported that a woman had fallen into the ocean and was being swept out. US Coast Guard received the report at 11:42 a.m. and dispatched a helicopter from Newport and crews from two stations. Yachats Rural Fire Protection District personnel, along with Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and ambulance personnel were also dispatched to the scene. However, when rescue personnel arrived on the scene, they found the woman was out of the water. Bystanders told fire personnel that a man in the woman’s party went in after her and both were able to get to a rock offshore before others helped the back to the beach. The two were examined for injuries at the scene and treated by medical personnel. Responding units were canceled.

Celebrating Over 30 Years in Real Estate

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

1870 Hwy. 126, Suite A • PO Box 3040, Florence, OR