Care for Our Community in Times of Pain and Unrest

A message from superintendent Gustavo Balderas and incoming interim superintendent Cydney Vandercar

These last days have been hard for our country and our community. Like all too many past events, the death of yet another unarmed person of color did not occur here, but it is felt here, and everywhere.

The senseless death of George Floyd, as well as Ahmaud Arbery and so many others before them, the outpouring of grief and outrage across the country, and the subsequent instances of destruction in some cities, have been on the minds of many students and staff members. There is anger and there is fear.

Our thoughts are with all of our students and families, our staff, and our community, but especially our communities of color, who may be impacted by the recent news and events across our country. Know that you are seen and heard.  ...Read more

No-School Days in June Save Funds for Later

Furlough days will save funds to offset cuts next school year

4J schools have scheduled two days in June when school staff will not be working and teachers will not be available to connect with students. The last day of school will now be Wednesday, June 10. 

The two furlough days for 4J staff will save the district about $1 million to help protect school days and staff positions next school year, when budget impacts from the pandemic are expected. Our goals in Eugene School District 4J are to weather the economic downturn and, to the extent possible:

• Maintain class sizes
• Minimize layoffs
• Preserve a full school year next year

Corridor Elementary School to Close in June 

Corridor Elementary School will be closed at the end of this school year, in light of significantly decreased student enrollment at the small alternative school and expected school funding shortfalls resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

Corridor is an alternative elementary school program in the North Eugene region, founded in the 1970s. Corridor has been a cherished program for its students and families over those decades, but the school's enrollment has fallen by nearly half over the past several years to 142 students. It has the highest costs per student and the least diverse student population among 4J's 20 elementary schools.

Facing a significantly changed economic outlook and the program’s decreased student enrollment, the superintendent recommended and the school board voted to close Corridor in June, before incurring the costs of construction to relocate Corridor to North Eugene High School this summer as previously planned.

The closure will save the district about $317,000 per year in operating costs. An additional $1 million in bond funds saved by not making renovations for Corridor's relocation to North Eugene will be used for other needed capital improvements.

Students may enroll in their neighborhood school or in another school where space is available. The district will provide a special process to support Corridor families with enrollment options for next year, outside of the regular school choice process.

Champions Named in 2020 ACE Awards 

165 district staff and volunteers were honored in awards program 

4J staff and volunteers were honored for excellence in education in the 2020 ACE Awards virtual ceremony on Tuesday, June 2, with hundreds of friends, colleagues and family members watching and responding to the live stream on Facebook. 

A record 165 nominees were recognized and five outstanding educators were named as champions in their respective categories: 

• Teacher: Claire Kronser, Art Teacher, Monroe Middle School
• Administrator: Peter Tromba, Principal, Spencer Butte Middle School
• Classified: Laura Muco Naraguma, Behavioral Support Assistant, Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School
• Volunteer: Tom Mohr, Crossing Guard, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion and Corridor Elementary School
• Lifetime Achievement: Londa Rochholz, Principal, McCornack Elementary

Congratulations to all of our staff and volunteers who were nominated for the 2020 ACE Awards. You can learn more about each nominee in their Facebook post or the ACE Awards program that includes a short excerpt from each nomination.