SVCS
The Siuslaw Valley Charter School board of directors, which operates under the sponsorship of the Siuslaw School District, says it responded with a letter to the Oregon Government Ethics Committee to a list of grievances from the District. The four grievances were a result of Siuslaw School District’s concern regarding the Charter School’s transparency to the media and the public. The grievances noted that: no notice was provided to the media for Charter School Board meetings held September 26 and October 2; The time of the October meeting was changed from the Original time posted on the website and no notice was given to the media or the public; In response, SVCS Board President says they did not notify the media, because it was their understanding that it was not required.
“Turns out we didn’t need to do that until the press asked to be on our list of people that need to be notified.”
While Oregon public meeting laws do require notifications, the law states that posting on a website, bulletin board or in public spaces does consist of a notification. On the topic of the Executive Session for October 2 which was not published on the Charter School Agenda as required by law. King says
“so the only thing that happened was we just hadn’t put down that the discussion would be around the hiring of a head of schools.”
King added that she believes a simple phone call could have rectified the situation rather than a written complaint. As late as October 17, the Charter School was notifying the press that, despite written requests for meeting announcements, “push notifications were not available”, though it later met its legal obligation by adding the press to the board’s email list for notice of meetings. While the grievance was discussed at the October 16 Siuslaw School District meeting, it was not officially reported to the Oregon Government Ethics Committee until last week. Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak indicated that the grievances would not escalate beyond an internal warning if a written response was provided. However, the Charter School’s legal counsel advised them to submit the grievance to the Ethics Commission, making it an officially documented complaint. To enhance transparency, the Charter School has retained legal counsel for guidance on compliance with Oregon Public Meeting Law and plans for board members to attend training approved by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
OEM Election Coverage
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management has activated its State Emergency Coordination Center as a precaution ahead of the upcoming election period. This proactive step is aimed at ensuring readiness and offering support for Oregon communities and leaders. There’s no specific threat; rather, it aligns with OEM’s commitment to secure and safe elections. Earlier this year, OEM partnered with FEMA, the Oregon Secretary of State, and Homeland Security to strengthen election security, marking Oregon as the first state to receive pre-award costs for election security. The activation keeps OEM ready to respond swiftly to any local support requests, reinforcing statewide election integrity.
City Validates: No Lead Pipes
The City of Florence has successfully completed its water service inventory, confirming that no lead service lines exist in its water system. Submitted to the Oregon Health Authority, this extensive project involved reviewing over 4,185 service connections, taking more than a year to finish. The U.S. EPA mandated all water utilities to perform a lead inventory to reduce lead exposure risks in drinking water, with results due by October 16. Florence’s findings indicate that past upgrades and inspections have ensured lead-free materials, reflecting the city’s commitment to safe, reliable water service for residents.
Extension Service Expands
The OSU Extension Service has recently expanded its offerings along the coast, establishing a new office at Lane Community College’s Florence Center on Oak Street. One of their upcoming programs focuses on the Small Farms Program, exploring ways to extend the coastal growing season. Speakers from Lincoln and Clatsop Counties, along with local coastal farmers, will lead a workshop discussing high tunnels and greenhouses as valuable tools to improve farm resilience and economic viability. This free workshop will be held on tmorrow, at 1:30 p.m. at LCC Florence.
Chat And Chowder
Siuslaw Outreach Services invites the Florence community to “Chat and Chowder” this Thursday, November 7, from 6 to 7:30 PM at Shorewood. The event offers donors and potential supporters a chance to hear from Bob Teter about urgent community needs and how SOS is responding. Ted Stevens and Rick Yecny will share insights on charitable giving to reduce tax burdens, and Laurel Ferguson will discuss setting up a will. Enjoy Shorewood’s award-winning clam chowder and engage in Q&A. RSVP by calling SOS or Shorewood by noon today, and join in supporting SOS’s mission to strengthen the community.
