This week, we kick off with the tale of an Oregon mom tackling a nationwide real estate holding company that had messed with her kiddos here in Corvallis.
Here’s what happened: The mom, who is remaining anonymous, has two daughters starting at OSU this month, and they all decided together that the roommate matching service at the Sierra Apartments in Corvallis looked like a great idea. So, they signed a lease and waited for word on their matches.
Surprisingly, the young women learned they had been matched with men, which they had strenuously objected to – which according to the mom drew a response from the Sierra staff that essentially amounted to: Too bad, and you signed a lease.
This is when mama bear got involved, confronting the property’s management with what she referred to as a combination of “strong language” and “case law.” Long story short, Sierra Apartments, which is operated by Landmark Properties, has now chose to comply with the family’s requests.
Moral of the story: take no, umm, shizit – not when it comes to your kiddos. We reached out to Sierra Apartments, and were told they would have no comment.
School Zone Warning: Time for annual heads-up over school zone traffic safety, which by the way, our area police are perfectly willing to also remind you about, though we’re told our reminders cost quite a bit less.
So, with the schools no longer deserted for summer, a little less zip and a far more watchful eye for little folks is called for. And, as no small aside, police are aware of school drop-off and pick-up times, and they do heighten their patrols early in the school year, so keep it slow and careful.
After School Fun: At press time, there’s still openings for after school programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis, Corvallis Parks & Rec, KidSpirit, and Valley Rock Gym. Sometimes these programs can start filling up after the first week or two of school, so we’re suggesting you may want to jump on them now.
The Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis may have the widest selection of programs and the best rates. There’s volleyball, cheer, NFL flag football, basketball and more. Prices range from $70 to $170, and they have scholarships if you need them.
Parks & Rec also has a wide variety of programs, some are downright reasonably priced and others are rather spendy – but most of them fill quickly, so if you see something you like, you may want to jump on it.
KidSpirit has a number of offerings, our staffers swear by their gymnastics classes, which run from ages 6 and up. Unsurprisingly, Valley Rock Gym is another staff favorite, because climbing is awesome – and if you’d like to try it out before committing, they have Family Climb Night every third Friday, which falls on the 15th this month. Fall session begins Monday, September 25.
Back-to-School Legislative Review: Oregon schools scored some historic victories in the state legislature this year, so much so, that with the start of the school year we just couldn’t help wanting to offer you a review. Here’s the highpoints…
Record K-12 School Funding: House Bill 5015 made an historic $10.2 billion investment in the K-12 State School Fund for the 2023-2025 biennium, nearly $1 billion higher than the current service level. When paired with local property tax revenues, total resources for K-12 schools for this biennium will reach an unprecedented $15.3 billion. The State School Fund is the primary funding source for the general operations of school districts and education service districts, paying for a range of needs, including teacher salaries, textbooks, school supplies, desks, and building maintenance. Oregon’s 197 school districts serve more than 552,000 students. As of this month, districts have already begun to receive this funding.
Cleaner Air, Heating and Cooling in School Buildings: House Bill 3031 works to improve air quality and eliminate airborne pathogens in schools around the state. This legislation will help Oregon schools receive federal funds to upgrade their HVAC systems, assess ventilation systems, place carbon dioxide monitors in every classroom, and submit a report on ventilation and carbon dioxide levels to a mechanical engineer for review. Districts can then implement any improvements recommended by the engineer.
Meals for Low-Income Students: House Bill 5014 makes Oregon one of only 12 states that straight-up uses Medicaid funds to help pay for free and reduced meals for students in need.
Early Literacy Success Initiative: House Bill 3198 invests in culturally-responsive and research-aligned reading instruction in Oregon classrooms. It also develops and expands student and family-centered early literacy supports. In-school funding for the initiative goes toward literacy coaching and professional development for educators, tutoring, curriculum implementation and adoption and summer learning programming.
It’s a $144.3 million investment across three new grant programs: the Early Literacy Success School Grant, the Birth Through Five Literacy Plan, and the Early Literacy Success Community Grant. According to the Oregon Department of Education, school districts can now use any current funds they have to implement these programs. Districts will still need to apply for the grant programs to be reimbursed.
Oregon’s Educator Workforce: Senate Bill 283 addresses Oregon’s K-12 educator workforce shortage. A key part of improving student success is making sure educators have good salaries, healthy working conditions, and the resources they need to help Oregon’s children learn. The bill addresses the concerns and suggestions raised by educators and administrators across the state by:
- Creating a robust, statewide educator workforce data system and regular workforce surveys to improve collection, quality, and availability of data related to Oregon’s education workforce
- Establishing apprenticeship and mentorship grants to pay Oregonians to become teachers and improve diversity in the state’s educator workforce
- Allowing school districts to boost pay for teachers and classified staff who work in special education
- Addressing the issue of districts under-employing workers serving students with the highest needs by requiring a minimum of 25 hours per week and just cause protections for classified jobs
- Paying for substitute teacher training and allowing recently retired teachers to convert to substitute licenses at no charge
- Directing ODE to study and plan for statewide minimum salaries for education workforces
Alyssa’s Law: House Bill 5014 Included with the historic investment in the K-12 State School Fund, a $2.5 million set-aside for schools to install mobile-based silent panic alarm systems that when activated, will send an immediate alert to law enforcement and Emergency Medical Services when there is a safety threat at a school building.
Known as Alyssa’s Law, this investment is in memory of Alyssa Alhadeff, who was just 14-years-old when she tragically lost her life to gun violence at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2017. In addition to responding to violent threats, states with this system have used the alarm in instances where a student or faculty member was experiencing an allergic reaction, seizure, or heart issues. ODE will set up a grant program for school districts to be able to apply for funds to implement the alarm system.
School Emergency Notifications Act: House Bill 3584 directs schools and school districts to electronically notify parents and guardians of students and school district employees during a school emergency and keep them informed throughout the incident. The bill comes in response to the Lane Middle School shut down earlier this year that left many parents in the dark without concrete information or updates. HB 3584 would require schools to notify and inform parents of an emergency within 24 hours. Implementation is required by the 2024 school year.
Disabled Student Rights: Senate Bill 819 serves Oregon’s students with disabilities in shortened school day placements, denying them access to full-time school. There are over 1,000 students in this situation. SB 819 requires ODE to enforce the current law by prohibiting school districts from offering students with disabilities fewer hours than non-disabled peers unless a parent provides written consent. ODE is currently hiring investigators to enforce this new law and has offered more than 50 hours of training for districts, schools, and families. Parents of students currently on a shortened school day schedule who want their children to attend full time should notify their school districts as soon as possible.
Do you have a story for The Advocate? Email editor@corvallisadvocate.com