As we close the month of February, we find ourselves fully immersed in the momentum of second semester across Coos Bay Schools. Our elementary students have completed their middle-of-the-year assessments, giving us valuable information to guide instruction and maximize learning gains between now and June. At the secondary level, students at Marshfield Junior High, Marshfield High School, and Destinations Academy are settled into the new bell schedule, which includes additional advisory time designed to strengthen connections and provide targeted academic support.

Our second semester focus is clear and intentional. At Little Pirates Preschool, staff are working diligently to prepare our youngest learners for a confident transition to kindergarten. Marshfield Junior High is gearing up to support our eighth graders as they prepare for state assessments this spring. At the high school level, our work is multifaceted—ensuring freshmen are on track for graduation, supporting students as they prepare for Advanced Placement exams and state testing, and most importantly, helping our seniors cross the finish line with a clear and purposeful plan for enrollment, enlistment, or employment. Second semester is a critical stretch of the school year, and we are committed to making every day count for our students.

Gary Roberts

Superintendent

Coos Bay Public Schools

March 2nd–6th is Classified Employee Appreciation Week, and we are proud to recognize the incredible contributions of our classified staff across Coos Bay Schools. Our classified employees are essential to the daily success of every building.

From secretaries and educational assistants to media clerks, custodians, maintenance crews, graduation coaches, family advocates, campus security staff, online education support staff, speech assistants, and members of our technology department, these dedicated professionals support our staff, serve our families, and most importantly, make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students each and every day. Their work ensures that our schools operate smoothly and that learning environments remain safe, welcoming, and effective.

Thank you for your commitment and service to Coos Bay Schools and to our greater community—we truly appreciate all that you do.

As we plan for the 2026–2027 school year, we are seeking feedback on the school start date. The late Labor Day holiday (September 7th) presents a challenge, as a later start means the school year would also end later in June.

We value your input and ask that you take a moment to complete this short survey to share which start date your family would prefer. You will be asked to enter your email address to submit your response: this helps ensure one response per participant. Please be assured that both your email and survey responses will remain confidential.

As discussed in several Board meetings over the past few months, Coos Bay School District is preparing for a projected $2,000,000 budget shortfall for the 2026–2027 school year. While that figure is significant, our district remains in a comparatively stronger fiscal position than many districts across the state of Oregon. There are several factors contributing to this projected gap, but most importantly, I want families to know that we are approaching this process thoughtfully and transparently, with student learning and outcomes at the center of every decision.

I have met with each district office department, shared budget messages at every school building, and discussed our financial outlook and next steps at both Town Hall meetings. We are committed to continuing open communication and will keep our families informed as we move forward.

This past week, we held our Board Data Night, and I am proud to share the highlights from that event. Across every building in our district, we are seeing measurable growth and encouraging progress. The dedication and hard work our students are demonstrating—combined with the commitment and expertise of our staff—are truly paying off. It is inspiring to see the results of that collective effort reflected in our data, and we remain focused on building on this momentum as we move forward.