Dr. Michael E. Zalar
Superintendent
mzalar@oregoncs.org
(419) 693-0661

January 21, 2011

Tough Economic Times - Tough Decisions…

When budgets are tight, tough decisions need to be made.  We have all periodically experienced these times in our personal finances.  In order to pay the bills you are faced with basically these choices – try to increase your income (revenue) or borrow money (credit/debt) so you can maintain your current lifestyle; or cut spending (expenses) and do without.  Presently, state and local governments, including public education, are being challenged by the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression.  Leaders are faced with the task of making very difficult decisions in order to “balance the budget.”  The impact of these decisions will be painful and controversial depending upon a person’s individual perspective. 

In Oregon, the community has spoken loud and clear.  The recent failure of two emergency operating levies makes the prospect of additional revenue coming into the district unlikely.  Moreover, given the state’s own budget crisis, the likelihood of future reductions in state funding are certain. In addition, the district’s five year forecast projects a 3 million spending deficit for FY 2012 and there are legal restrictions preventing schools from spending more money than they have.  The only option for the district is to continue to cut operating expenses in a way that, to the greatest extent possible, protects the quality of education for kids.

Significant budget “belt tightening” in the general fund have been taking place for the past three years amounting to approximately $10 million in savings annually. This has included the negotiation of wage and benefits concessions from all employees, staffing reductions (including 50 teaching positions since 2005) and the elimination and/or reduction of numerous programs and services.  Unfortunately, we are at a point where there are no good options for reductions going forward.  

The impact of an additional $2.8 million reduction in operating expenses will begin being felt effective January 5th when students return to school.  Most notably, the elimination of busing for high school students and a reduction of cleaning services will take place immediately and provide a combined savings to the district of nearly $1 million annually.  Additional reductions in staffing positions and programs, including the closing of Wynn Elementary School, will provide the rest of the savings and be implemented for the 2011-2012 school year (For a more detailed list of the reductions see the district’s website at www.oregoncityschools.org).

 My sincere hope is that the community understands that these decisions were based on data with the intention of protecting teaching and learning outcomes in the classroom while making the district more cost effective and efficient to operate. In no way should the elimination of transportation services for high school students, or the closing of an elementary school be interpreted as being coercive or punitive.  Reductions like these simply provide significant cost savings and have no direct impact on the classroom. We fully understand the hardship and inconvenience they present to some students and parents. While regrettable, the benefits to the greater good of the district will dictate this course of action for the foreseeable future.

As we go forward, we will need to work together - as a community – to decide what kind of school district we want Oregon City Schools to be.  The schools and community cannot function effectively in isolation.  We need to support each other in our mission of “doing what’s best for kids” and preparing them for a successful future.  By investing in our children’s education, we are investing in the future of our community. 

Dr. Michael E. Zalar, Superintendent of Schools, may be reached by calling (419) 693-0661or by emailing mzalar@oregoncs.org

They are ready to do it again!
OCS Playmakers vs. WTVG 13abc All Stars
Thursday, February 17, at 7:30pm

The 13abc All Stars are bringing their crew back to the Harold Potter Field House at Clay High School to take on our OCS Playmakers!  Bring the entire family for a fun filled evening!  The first 100 fans will receive a key chain. All proceeds from the game will benefit the Academic Boosters Club.  More information to follow.  Save the date!

If you have a child who will be attending kindergarten next year, (5 years old on or before September 30, 2011), please plan on attending a Parent Information Meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the Fassett Middle School Auditorium, 3025 Starr Ave. 

This session will include information regarding procedures, requirements, and academic expectations for kindergarten.  The Kindergarten registration forms packet will be available and an appointment for registration/screening will be scheduled at this time.  These appointments will occur the week of April 4, 2011 at St. Ignatius Church, 212 North Stadium Rd.  Oregon, OH  43616

Please share this information with neighbors, relatives, or friends who might have a child 5 years old on or before September 30, 2011.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Curriculum Department at 419-693-0661, ext. 3245.

Washington DC paperwork was mailed before Christmas break.  In the mailing for students was a Second Payment Letter, Student Emergency Medical Form, and Parent Donation List.  If a parent has signed on to chaperone, also included in the mailing was a Chaperone Second Payment Letter, Chaperone Emergency Medical Form, and a Chaperone Rooming List.

All paperwork was due at Eisenhower by January 14th.  The second payment was due to Scholastica by January 14th.  82 students and chaperones have NOT returned paperwork.  29 students or chaperones do not have $ 200.00 in their account. 

Several parents did not fill out or sign the back of the EMF form.  We will send them home with your child. 

Please fill out and return all DC paperwork within the week.  If you have lost your paperwork, please print it from our website.  Please click on "Washington, DC Trip" in the green column at the left of our Eisenhower page.  A website for Ms. D. Corsini appears.  Please click on "Washington, D.C.~ 2011". 

Our eighth graders recently took part in a Mission to Mars at the Challenger Learning Center.  The Center allows students to solve problems related to space exploration in a realistic setting.  The entire cost of the mission was contributed through the generosity of the Rotary Club.

Students assumed the roles of navigators, communications officers, remote operations facilitators, probe assemblers, data officers, and medical officers and had a chance to enact their roles both in the Mission Control Center and in the Mars spacecraft.  While there, our eighth graders were observed by a visiting school administrator from China, who seemed impressed with their hard work.

In the picture you see Commander Reid Steele of the Challenger Learning Center explaining the mission and the student roles to a captivated group of eighth graders.

Update for 8th Graders

NHS is involved with activities that benefit the school and community. Students are eligible for membership if they meet the criteria of leadership, service, scholarship, and character. The selection process begins the second semester of their junior year. The scholarship qualification is a 3.3 GPA through the spring of 2014. Beginning with the class of 2015, this requirement will increase to a 3.5 GPA.

Congratulations to Lydia Reichow & Jonathan Anderson for being selected to represent Eisenhower Middle School at the Bowling Green State University New Music Clinic.  Both students will be part of the honors band which will read new band music and perform a final concert on Saturday, January 22. 

Congratulations again to both students.