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School District approves first reading of charter school contract

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Siuslaw News Florence, Oregon Wednesday, August 28, 2024 Number 35 • 133 years

By TONY REED Siuslaw News

After many months of meetings and negotiations, the Siuslaw Unified School District board of directors approved a first reading of a contractual agreement for the operation of Whitmore Charter Academy. According to staff reports, the contract was negotiated during the following sessions: May 14, 2024, June 10, 2024, and July 27, 2024. Directors Brian Lacouture, Maureen Miltenberger, and Kady Sneddon represented the board during the negotiation of the operational contract. Prior to the action, Whitmore Academy board member Jody O’Mara thanked the board for a positive and respectful meeting which led to the working agreement and contract. “I feel like we developed a great relationship and we want to keep going with this positive relationship,” she said. “It was so wonderful to work with people who were student-focused.” She said she’s excited to be able to move forward and bring the opportunity to the community. Director Kady Sneddon agreed that it was great to speak with Martindale and O’Mara adding that the positive and respectful deliberation shows in the final contract. Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak said the contract will come back for a second reading, at which time, directors should separate questions and comments into two categories. He said he can answer questions of technical and legal nature, but suggested “what if” questions should be directed to O’Mara and Board member Larry Martindale. Board chair Brian Lacouture advised the other directors to also read Oregon revised statute 338.005. The statute came up in several previous meetings, related to a then-proposed connection to Hillsdale College, a conservative, Cristian liberal arts college in Michigan. In the text of the lengthy document, it was agreed that the charter will not be a religion-based school. “WCA agrees that it shall operate, in all respects, as a nonsectarian, nonreligious public school,” it states. “WCA shall not be affiliated with any nonpublic sectarian school or religious organization, as per ORS 338.005 (8). (i) Any affiliation or association with a nonpublic See CONTRACT, Page A2

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

A river full of Jellyfish

TONY REED PHOTOS

Along the Port of Siuslaw last week, onlookers could be seen pointing at the water and remarking how many jellyfish were visible from the shoore. The critters in question are crystal jellyfish, which are common to the Oregon Coast.

While they do have stinging nettles, they are reportedly harmless to people. However, due to their small size and fragility, people should not catch or handle them. While they can reach about 8 inches across, most seen last week were about 4 to 5 inches across.

They are easy to spot, and appear to glow in certain lighting conditions. If illuminated with a black light, they will glow in bright blue and purple hues. While they can be seen moving, they are helpless against the tidal currents in the Siuslaw River.

Changes in jellyfish populations are often indicative of other environmental changes. However, inquiries to Hatfield Marine Science Center were not returned as of press time, so it’s yet unknown if jellyfish populations in the river are out of the ordinary.

RAIN Catalysts brings Pakistani women to Florence By TONY REED Siuslaw News

A group of Pakistani women concluded an intense entrepreneurial program last week during a visit to Florence, which, of course, included sandboarding on the dunes. Program Director Caroline Cummings said the group was invited by City Manager Erin Reynolds in 2015. RAIN Catalyst is based in Oregon and it’s program accepts invitations to “help build inclusive, entrepreneurial economy.” “What that means is that they want us to help find those hardto-reach entrepreneurs and wrap resources around them,” Cummings said, noting that many have a regular job but may also be working on other ventures. “It could be that they make handbags, or beauty care products or gluten-free cookies, or they could be working on a new technology.”

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B4-B5

Cummings said the program uses a model that helps them find what they need at no charge. Funding comes from city, state, federal and private foundations and corporations, she said. “Oregon Pacific Bank has been a big sponsor in Florence,” she gave as an example. Cummings said the program went global about five years ago. The

current two-year project was funded by the U.S. Department of State and supported by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. Three universities in Islamabad partnered with the program, including Fatima Jinnah Women’s University. “This grant required us to host an exchange visit to help advance

women’s entrepreneurship, which is desperately needed in a country like Pakistan, where women don’t have access to the same resources that we do here in the U.S., ” Cummings said.

See RAIN, Page A7

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