Superintendent Newsletter
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October is National Principals Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the incredible work of our school leaders. Here in the Coos Bay School District, we are proud to have an exceptional group of principals and assistant principals who lead with vision, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to our students and staff.
Our building leaders go above and beyond every day to ensure our schools are safe, welcoming, and thriving learning environments. Their leadership impacts every aspect of our schools — from academic excellence and innovation to student well-being and community engagement. We are deeply grateful for all they do to support our students, families, and staff.
Please join me in recognizing our principals:
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Carli Ainsworth, Madison Elementary
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Amelia Edd, Eastside Elementary
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Kara Davidson, Sunset School
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Kevin Guthrie, Millicoma School
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Kyle Aurdahl, Marshfield Junior High School
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Eli Aston, Marshfield High School
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Kayla Crook, Destinations Academy
We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to our assistant principals, who play a vital role in supporting students, teachers, and families every day:
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Chad Scriven, Sunset School
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Kati Banks, Millicoma School
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Shelly McKnight, Marshfield Junior High School
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Greg Mulkey and Casey McCord, Marshfield High School
Each of these leaders contributes uniquely to the success of our district, and together they make Coos Bay Schools a special place for learning and growth. Their dedication helps ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, succeed, and feel a true sense of belonging.
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As part of the district’s full conversion to the ParentSquare communication platform, we are continuing work on the completion of our district website. Our goal is to make it easier for families to find the information they need and to strengthen communication between home and school.
We’re excited to share that we are nearing the finish line — staff directories are nearly complete, and our team is putting the final touches on each of our school and district pages.
Thank you for your continued patience and support as we complete this major project. We’re confident the new site will offer a more user-friendly experience and serve as a valuable hub for district news, events, and resources.
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The primary goal of the SAC is to provide the superintendent and the district leadership team with direct, student-centered feedback on the school environment and student experience.
The committee meets bi-monthly to discuss and offer recommendations on key areas, including:
- School Climate: Student perceptions of the atmosphere, safety, and culture within schools.
- Program Rollout: Insights on the effectiveness and impact of new initiatives and programs.
- Obstacles to Learning: Identifying barriers that hinder students' academic progress or well-being.
- Improvement Areas: Suggesting specific ways the district can enhance the overall student experience.
In essence, the SAC ensures that student voices are actively integrated into the decision-making process, helping district leaders identify areas for improvement and develop strategies that directly address student needs and concerns.
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The Superintendent Advisory Committee conducted their first meeting on October 23rd, 2025. Members were asked to introduce themselves and share their favorite thing about school.
The students' favorite things about school largely center on the positive relationships they have with staff and the welcoming environment.
1. Exceptional Staff and Kindness
The most frequently mentioned favorite thing is the teachers and other staff members. Students consistently highlight the staff's kindness, caring attitude, and positive demeanor.
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Teacher Quality: Students appreciate teachers for being "sweet and well educated" (Cyrene), "kind and care for us" (Bailey), and simply "nice" (Jacob).
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Positive Interactions: Specific shout-outs went to secretaries who say "good morning" (Hailey), staff who are "very positive" (Victoria), and those who are "very kind and caring about students" (Triniti). The general sentiment is that staff make them feel welcome and seen.
2. Engaging Activities and Opportunities
Students enjoy events that foster school spirit and specific programs they can participate in.
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School Events: The energy of pep assemblies (Marina) and the structure of end-of-the-month assemblies (Kara) stand out as favorites.
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Program Diversity: Students value the "diversity of opportunities" (Kaie), with a specific appreciation for programs like the culinary program (Brandyn).
3. Positive School Environment
Students feel the school is well-run, inclusive, and easy to navigate.
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Inclusivity & Community: A sense of community is evident, with students noting that "everyone is kind and lets you join games" (Gunnar).
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Organization and Access: Students like "how well we are put together" (Mayson) and appreciate the "ease of access and improvements" (Edward). Even the physical environment is noted as a positive, with one student mentioning that the school "doesn't feel crowded" (Fraya).
The committee members were also asked:
- What makes your school welcoming or unwelcoming?
- How could adults better support student learning or well being?
- What is one thing the district could change that would make the biggest difference for students?
We will use their responses to make better informed decisions at the district level.
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Anelicia Maddux - Destinations
Edward Mays - Destinations
Cyrene Dorfmeister - Marshfield High School
Fraya Johnston - Destinations
Kaie Russell - Marshfield High School
Marina Alonzo - Marshfield High School
Brandyn Geary-Daniel - Marshfield High School
Jacob Oliver - Marshfield High School
Mayson Pickerill - Marshfield Junior High
Emalyn Folau - Marshfield Junior High
Hailey Dunning - Millicoma
Triniti Macy - Sunset
Victoria Stephanic - Millicoma
Bailey Beird - Sunset
Kara Sweet - Millicoma
Gunnar Nyleen - Sunset
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The mission of the Student Success Committee is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their full academic and personal potential. We are dedicated to identifying and dismantling barriers to success, ensuring that all students have a fair and just opportunity to thrive. We believe that with the right support, resources, and a commitment to removing systemic obstacles, every student has the inherent capacity to succeed.
Core Components
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Review and suggest revisions to policy updates, focusing on ensuring that all students are considered in the policy-making process.
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Develop a survey to measure the school climate and identify areas for growth. The results will be used to inform future policies and initiatives aimed at fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
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Advocate for the success of all students by providing support, resources, and policy recommendations that address diverse needs and promote positive outcomes. The committee will work to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
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Provide feedback and suggestions to the superintendent to inform decision-making and ensure the needs of all students are a top priority. The committee's input will help shape policies and programs that support student growth and well-being.
The SSC met on September 11th and October 23rd and discussed the following topics:
- Survey development - reviewing preliminary questions and offering suggestions for revisions and new questions to add
- Historic progress in removing barriers to success - eliminating test fees for AP, SAT, PSAT, ACT, and PreACT.
- Cellphone Policy - considered what measures would best comply with the Governor's Executive Order and teach responsible usage habits.
- Accelerating student - "Solid Floor - Porous Ceiling"
Next Meeting
Date: December 11th
Focus: Disaggregated data to identify trends and areas for attention.
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Daven Cagley - Facilitator/Staff
Danny Stoddard - Community Member
Maynika Rastogi - Community Member
Whitney Warr - Parent/Guardian
Annie Pollard - Parent/Guardian
Leisha Holmes - Staff
Cade Hess - Staff
Melinda Torres - Staff
Bre Landrum - Staff
Samantha Serna - Student
Miranda Jester - Student
Paulina Acuna Vasquez - Student
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The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is launching a new School Accountability Framework focused on ensuring continuous improvement in key areas of student learning, engagement, and success. We’re proud to share that Coos Bay Schools are already ahead of this effort through our ongoing focus on several critical priorities that align closely with the framework.
Our district has emphasized the Science of Reading at the K–6 level, ensuring students build strong foundational literacy skills. We conduct student assessments three times each year—at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year—to closely monitor growth and guide instruction.
We’re also prioritizing student attendance and student voice, empowering learners to take an active role in shaping their education through the Superintendent’s Student Advisory and Student Success Committee.
At the secondary level, our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) include improving 9th grade on-track rates and increasing graduation rates, ensuring that every student is prepared for life beyond high school.
These ongoing efforts demonstrate Coos Bay’s proactive approach in aligning with ODE’s vision for school improvement, while maintaining our local mission to raise academic achievement for all students.
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As we head into November, we look forward to Parent-Teacher Conferences across our schools. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity for families to connect with teachers, discuss student progress, and review the growth metrics that guide instruction in Coos Bay Schools.
Partnerships between home and school are essential to student success. We appreciate our families’ engagement and collaboration as we continue to work toward our shared goal — ensuring that every Coos Bay student grows academically, socially, and emotionally.
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We continue to focus on improving our attendance. Regular school attendance is the #1 predictor of reading success, on-time graduation, and success in college and career endeavors. The state of Oregon measures “regular attenders” as those being present for 90% of the school days |
Each building has set attendance improvement goals for 2025-2026. Here are bar graphs of where each school is at currently, compared to last school year (2024-2025) and their goal |
Coos Bay School District provides Chromebooks to students with guidelines for care, use, and responsibilities to ensure proper handling and security of the devices.
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Equipment issued: Students receive a Chromebook which may vary in brand or model, along with peripherals.
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General care: Students must avoid food and drinks near the Chromebook, handle cords carefully, avoid placing it on uneven surfaces, and protect it from extreme temperatures and pressure. Reporting damage, loss, or theft immediately is required.
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Carrying and screen care: Chromebooks should be carried with lids closed and supported from the bottom; screens are fragile and should be protected from pressure or objects.
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Power and charging: The power adapter port is fragile, and students should unplug when not charging and charge the device nightly. No loaner chargers are provided; lost chargers incur a $25 replacement fee.
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Cleaning: Chromebooks should be cleaned with a lightly moistened soft cloth only; harsh chemicals and sprays are prohibited. Devices must remain free of unauthorized decorations or markings.
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Acceptable use: Internet access is monitored, and usage must comply with the district's Acceptable Use Policy. The device is for schoolwork only, and prohibited activities include unauthorized access, cyberbullying, posting harmful information, illegal actions, hacking, accessing inappropriate content, and physical device alterations without approval.
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Student preparation: Students must bring fully charged Chromebooks to school daily; no replacement devices are loaned if forgotten, but classroom or library resources may be available.
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Damage or loss: Chromebooks remain district property; students must return devices in good condition. Charges apply for lost or damaged parts, with replacement costs listed (e.g., $395 for Chromebook, $25 for power cord, $50-$200 for screen replacement). Intentional damage may result in disciplinary action. Theft should be reported to police for possible charge waivers.
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Returning devices: Chromebooks and chargers must be returned upon withdrawal, transfer, graduation, or leaving the district; failure to return results in full replacement charges.
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Support and updates: Problems should be reported to library staff who coordinate with IT; policy provisions may change during the school year with notifications provided.
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