Category Archives: Uncategorized

The pervasiveness of mental health issues and child suicide rates leads Oregon to rank as the worst state in the country for the prevalence of mental illness. And the state’s lack of child psychiatrists and school counselors leaves families waiting for months to get help. Locally, multiple teen suicides have affected both Salem-Keizer Public SchoolsContinueContinue reading “Oregon may require students undergo annual mental health exams”

A third-grade girl at Cummings Elementary School in Keizer, Oregon, recently pulled a pocket knife on another third grader, threatening to kill her. After the weapon was confiscated by staff, a boy reportedly choked the girl for “snitching.” Word of the incidents quickly raised concerns across the school’s community and left some parents questioning administrators’ choices on how the victimContinueContinue reading “Knife threat at elementary school raises discipline questions”

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown wants to tap nearly $2 billion more for schools while the state’s economy is strong and a legislative committee prepares a multi-billion dollar package and education policy road map. Over the last two decades, the Oregon State Legislature has consistently financed schools at about 21 to 38 percent below what its own research suggested districts needed to beContinueContinue reading “Gov. Brown says Oregon has unique chance to add nearly $2 billion for schools”

In the last two and a half years, about 230 refugees have resettled in Salem, fleeing violence and persecution around the world. Five refugees make up the current workforce of Sparrow Furniture, a new socially conscious business in Salem. Sparrow employees work about 30 hours a week, with an hour of English classes four days aContinueContinue reading “Sparrow Furniture in Oregon gives refugees jobs, help adjusting to American life”

Salem-Keizer Public Schools is poised to gain about six acres of land owned by St. Edward Catholic Church in Keizer, either by having an offer accepted or by exercising eminent domain. At its meeting Nov. 13, the Salem-Keizer School Board unanimously approved a “resolution of necessity,” allowing the district to use eminent domain to condemn the land,ContinueContinue reading “School board approves use of eminent domain to acquire land from Catholic church”

Natalie Pate and the rest of the Statesman Journal staff covered various Oregon races and ballot measures before and after election day, Nov. 6, 2018. Here are the result stories Natalie wrote: Measure 106: Voters reject ban on abortion fund limits Bill Post keeps seat in Oregon House Incumbent Jackie Winters will keep her seatContinueContinue reading “Election results: Oregon races, measures”

Every year, a select group from Salem-Keizer Public School’s 5,000 educators are honored with a Crystal Apple Award — a special recognition for exceeding their regular duties to demonstrate best practices and improve the lives of students. Thursday, Nov. 1, 12 recipients — including teachers, administrators and support staff — were chosen from 61 nominees and celebrated before a fullContinueContinue reading “Meet the 2018 Crystal Apple Award winners from Salem and Keizer schools”

Controversy struck this week when Oregon Department of Education officials proposed the 2017-18 At-A-Glance profiles not be released until after the Nov. 6 election. The reports were released a day ahead of the original schedule due to the ensuing backlash. The Statesman Journal took a look at how Salem-Keizer is doing. Read the story here.

The Salem-Keizer School Board is considering using eminent domain to acquire land next to McNary High School in Keizer. St. Edward Catholic Church owns the vacant lot. But when district officials approached church leadership, they did not want to sell. Read the original story here. Read the church leaders’ response here.

The Salem-Keizer Education Foundation is months behind in payments to various vendors. The Statesman Journal has confirmed at least five vendors that worked with the foundation this year on various events had not been paid-in-full as of Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, with outstanding amounts ranging from about $300 to nearly $16,000. Read the full storyContinueContinue reading “SKEF owes multiple vendors payments”