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Reports find effective management, but room for improvement in two districts

Newly released reports on the business practices of two small town school districts show solid management skills and strong community connections. But the report identifies clear areas that need improvement. Those are the general findings of two new reports released today by the Oregon Schools Boards Association, the Oregon Association of School Business Officials and the Chalkboard Project. Teams of school district management experts conducted comprehensive reviews of the business and operations in the Yoncalla School District and the Harney County School District #3 (Burns). These two reports are the second and third in a series of five. A study pf the Greater Albany School District is due next month. Another of te Eugene School District will begin in October.

Key Findings: Harney County

Key Findings: Yoncalla

Full Report: Harney County

Full Report: Yoncalla

Chalkboard President Sue Hildick leads online chat today

Today at 1 PM, readers of StatesmanJournal.com have the chance for an online dialogue with Chalkboard Project President Sue Hildick. It’s another opportunity to make your voice heard about Oregon public schools. The conversation begins at 1 PM today. But go online now to post a question.

What: Online chat with Sue Hildick
When: Today at 1 PM
Where: www.StatesmanJournal.com/chat

Teaching relationship takes two

Chalkboard blogger Mollie Dickson, continues to document her journey toward earning a graduate degree in teaching. Now that summer classes are over, Mollie’s getting close to real classrooms, but can’t say she feels like a teacher.
Ready, Set, Teach!

Extended learning time shows promise

Oregon’s school year is among the shortest in the nation. Some districts in Oregon are looking into ways to extend their students’ learning time. That’s why the Chalkboard Project commissioned a study by ECONorthwest. It includes intriguing findings. For example, extended learning time is more effective for disadvantaged children than for children from middle or high socio-economic status households. Also, extending the school day is more cost-effective than extending the school year.
Check out the report

Staff Updates

The Chalkboard Project is pleased to announce that
Liesl Wendt will be joining us as our Vice President of External Relations next month. Liesl comes to Chalkboard after serving as neighborhood engagement director for Portland Mayor Tom Potter. She has a strong background in citizen engagement and outreach. Most recently she was the Director of Neighborhood Engagement for Mayor Tom Potter. Prior to that she built the 211 Project for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, served as education program manager for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and developed the Food Stamp Outreach Program for the Oregon Food Bank. Liesl has a degree in sociology from Portland State University and is a head coach for the Laurelhurst Soccer Club.

Chalkboard’s education policy advisor, Kate Dickson, is playing a more prominent and active role in our organization. Her new title is Vice President of Education Policy.

Finally, Chalkboard is bidding a fond farewell to Aimee Craig, our Information and Outreach Director. Aimee is getting married and moving to Chicago to seek a graduate degree in religious studies. The service Aimee has given to Chalkboard has been invaluable to our movement and we thank her for it.

Kate Erwin will be moving into a full time position at Chalkboard to cover Aimee's duties.