Category Archives: Uncategorized

A group of students and parents are calling on Salem-Keizer Public Schools to update what they describe as an “archaic” and “sexist” dress code policy. The controversy isn’t unique to Salem-Keizer schools — or the state of Oregon. But district officials say they’ve been working on updating the dress code for a while and may release a revised code as earlyContinueContinue reading “Students challenge Salem-Keizer’s ‘archaic’ and ‘sexist’ dress code, district to revamp”

Teachers and parents of children who died in the care of Chemawa Indian School, or shortly after being removed from the facility, are demanding that Congress hold the Salem boarding school accountable. For over a year and a half, Oregon U.S. Reps. Kurt Schrader and Suzanne Bonamici have been pressing for answers from the Department of Interior on issues raised by an Oregon Public Broadcasting investigativeContinueContinue reading “Student deaths, lack of accountability at Chemawa bring heat from Congress”

For years, Salem-Keizer Public Schools has been known for producing state champion bands, orchestras, choirs and soloists. But private lessons often are the final push to take students from in-school programs to winning state titles and securing spots in college. And because students’ families pay for the lessons, an equity gap exists between students whose families have the money and those whoContinueContinue reading “Music Lessons Project brings private lessons to Salem’s lower-income schools”

Salem-Keizer School Board candidates Marty Heyen, Satya Chandragiri and Danielle Bethell have each accepted contributions from an Oregon Right to Life political action committee, organized by the Keizer-based anti-abortion group. Each candidate was given an in-kind donation worth $2,666 from the PAC for literature, brochures, printing and postage, according to campaign finance records. On the other side of the debate, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon gave David Salinas — opponent to Chandragiri inContinueContinue reading “Salem-Keizer candidates accept donations from Oregon Right to Life, Planned Parenthood”

A private Instagram account titled “norte_salam.con_fessions” was created recently and has been used to post anonymous attacks on North Salem High School students. Posts talked about who has and hasn’t had sex, accused students of cheating on their significant others, outed students for potentially being gay, alleged students are using drugs or participating in variousContinueContinue reading “Instagram posts used to bully North Salem High School students”

Jefferson School Board members violated Oregon law in late February when they chose the district’s new superintendent, Brad Capener, in closed executive session without publicly voting on his selection over three other finalists, an investigation by the Statesman Journal has found. The school board also may have violated state law in mid-March by not allowing public testimony before voting on Capener’s contract. Additionally,ContinueContinue reading “Jefferson School Board violates state law, picks superintendent in secret”

Oregon first graders could attend gun safety classes at their schools under legislation pushed this year and expected to return next session. While the bill outlining this program had solid support from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, it’s unlikely to advance beyond it’s initial public hearing after a deadline for committee work sessions recently expired.ContinueContinue reading “Gun safety class for Oregon first graders expected to return next Legislature”

Educators across Oregon are planning to walk out of class Wednesday, May 8 should the Oregon Legislature not add an additional $2 billion per biennium needed to maintain and improve K-12 schools. Over the last two decades, the state has financed schools at 21 to 38 percent below what its own research suggests districts needContinueContinue reading “Why Oregon teachers are talking about a possible May 8 strike”

More special education students in Salem-Keizer Public Schools are graduating with regular diplomas, learning alongside their peers and pursuing higher education or work after high school, according to new data released by the Oregon Department of Education Wednesday. But while the district saw many gains this year, there have also been a handful of setbacks, and some of Salem-Keizer’sContinueContinue reading “Special ed report cards show improvements, set backs in Salem-Keizer schools”

The Salem Keizer Education Association has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Salem-Keizer Public Schools for allegedly discriminating against and unfairly transferring an elementary school teacher, and restricting the union’s access to its members. The complaint was filed with the Oregon Employment Relations Board in early March, but Lillian Govus, director of communications forContinueContinue reading “Salem-Keizer teachers file labor complaint over involuntary transfer, restricted visits”