Oregon City Schools are giving thought to reconfiguring grades five through eight in the district. But school leaders want the community's input before they move forward with those plans.
Leaders for Oregon city schools think they may have an answer to more success in the classroom.
"We currently are a school district that is configured with three K through 5 elementary schools, two 6 through 8 middle schools and one 9 through 12 high school. Our board of education is looking at other districts that are high performing. We're currently trying to prove our test scores," Says Dr. Michael Zalar, Superintendent
The district has been considering the possibility of reconfiguration since last year. Dr. Zalar says if the school district is serious about improving student achievement all across the board-then all options need to be on the table. That includes taking another look at the way the school buildings are organized.
"We've been struggling with the 5th grade, primarily in the areas of math and also with 7th and 8th grade math and science so we think it's worth consideration putting our 5th and 6th and also our 7th and 8th in one building. We could refocus our curriculum also get our teachers under one roof and be able to collaborate," Says Dr. Zalar
The district has maintained an effective rating for the past 10 years. Dr Zalar says this may be the change needed to improve that rating to excellent.
"We've been making improvements across the board but they've been slow, the thought is that this would make our improvements a lot quicker," Says Dr. Zalar
The district is trying to get a pulse on how the community feels about it in a series of forums through out the month.
The changes wouldn't take effect until next school year.
Anyone is welcome to come ask questions and provide feedback. All community forums will start at 7pm inside the library of each school.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:02 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:02:20 GMT
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary. Police say he tried to break into a
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:00 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:00:27 GMT
Lots of people will be outside this Memorial Day weekend. They might be barbecuing, maybe fishing or hiking. Ticks will also be out this weekend. Ticks prefer the upper 60s, low brush and tall grass. The
The mild Memorial Day weekend weather will have people out enjoying the outdoors. The ticks will also be out. Health officials say if bitten people can become very sick.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:27:22 GMT
Toledo police need your help identifying some robbery suspects. Police say someone broke into the Eastgate Carryout on May 11. They released surveillance images of the people believed to be responsible,
Toledo police need your help identifying some robbery suspects. Police say someone broke into the Eastgate Carryout on May 11. They released surveillance images of the people believed to be responsible, as well as the vehicle they were driving.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:13 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:13:51 GMT
The Lucas County Sheriff's Office is asking for assistance from the public regarding the homicide of James Safadi. Safadi was killed last weekend at a home on the 8900 block of River Road. Two rings
The Lucas County Sheriff's Office is asking for assistance from the public regarding the homicide of James Safadi. Safadi was killed last weekend at a home on the 8900 block of River Road.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:04:26 GMT
Two Toledo children have been missing since Sunday. According to police, 14-year-old Rochelle White and 15-year-old Zachery White ran away from home. The children's mother reported them missing May 20. If
Two Toledo children have been missing since Sunday. According to police, 14-year-old Rochelle White and 15-year-old Zachary White ran away from home. The children's mother reported them missing May 20.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:56 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:56:32 GMT
Friday is a sad anniversary in Monroe, Michigan. Four years after 5-year-old Nevaeh Buchanan was last seen alive, the investigation into her murder continues. Signs of heartache across Monroe are still
Today is a sad anniversary in Monroe, Michigan. Four years after 5-year-old Nevaeh Buchanan was last seen alive, the investigation into her murder continues.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:02 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:02:20 GMT
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary. Police say he tried to break into a
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:00 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:00:27 GMT
Lots of people will be outside this Memorial Day weekend. They might be barbecuing, maybe fishing or hiking. Ticks will also be out this weekend. Ticks prefer the upper 60s, low brush and tall grass. The
The mild Memorial Day weekend weather will have people out enjoying the outdoors. The ticks will also be out. Health officials say if bitten people can become very sick.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:27:22 GMT
Toledo police need your help identifying some robbery suspects. Police say someone broke into the Eastgate Carryout on May 11. They released surveillance images of the people believed to be responsible,
Toledo police need your help identifying some robbery suspects. Police say someone broke into the Eastgate Carryout on May 11. They released surveillance images of the people believed to be responsible, as well as the vehicle they were driving.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:13 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:13:51 GMT
The Lucas County Sheriff's Office is asking for assistance from the public regarding the homicide of James Safadi. Safadi was killed last weekend at a home on the 8900 block of River Road. Two rings
The Lucas County Sheriff's Office is asking for assistance from the public regarding the homicide of James Safadi. Safadi was killed last weekend at a home on the 8900 block of River Road.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:04:26 GMT
Two Toledo children have been missing since Sunday. According to police, 14-year-old Rochelle White and 15-year-old Zachery White ran away from home. The children's mother reported them missing May 20. If
Two Toledo children have been missing since Sunday. According to police, 14-year-old Rochelle White and 15-year-old Zachary White ran away from home. The children's mother reported them missing May 20.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:37 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:37:14 GMT
MOORE, Okla. (AP) - A band of thunderstorms battered the Oklahoma City area Thursday, slowing cleanup operations in the suburb where a tornado killed 24 people and destroyed thousands of homes this week.
A band of thunderstorms battered the Oklahoma City area Thursday, slowing cleanup operations in the suburb where a tornado killed 24 people and destroyed thousands of homes this week.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:32:59 GMT
A man is behind bars in Sandusky, facing human trafficking charges. Investigators say he forced a teen into prostitution. Police arrested Jarmearl Montgomery at a mobile home park. Authorities say he
A man is behind bars in Sandusky, facing human trafficking charges. Investigators say he forced a teen into prostitution.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:28 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:28:21 GMT
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - The Washington State Patrol says the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon has collapsed, dumping vehicles and people into the water. Trooper Mark Francis
A truck hauling an oversized load of drilling equipment hit an overhead bridge girder on the major route between Seattle and Canada, sending a section of the interstate into the river below as the driver watched the structure collapse in his rearview mirror.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:22 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:22:36 GMT
High pressure will move in overnight tonight which will keep the clouds away and allow the winds to go calm. This will lead to unseasonably cold air Saturday morning. Lows are expected to be in the upper
A late season frost is expected Memorial Day weekend for parts of Ohio.