SVCS Chooses Head of Schools
In a significant development, the board of Siuslaw Valley Charter School has announced Arturo Ruelas as their new Head of Schools. Board President Kay King praised Ruelas as a visionary leader with 19 years of experience in K-12 education across the U.S. and China. Ruelas, known for his strategic leadership and curriculum development, aims to implement a classical education model at Whitmore Classical Academy, emphasizing academic rigor, arts appreciation, and character development. Outside of work, Ruelas enjoys hiking, camping, and attending cultural events. He expressed excitement about exploring Florence’s natural beauty and engaging with the community. Former Principal Larry Martindale highlighted Ruelas’s fit for the community, marking this as an exciting step forward. Ruelas will start on December 1, 2024, with Whitmore Academy opening for grades K-4 in September 2025. Enrollment forms are available online.
Policy Committee Meeting
The Siuslaw School District Policy Committee will meet tomorrow at 4:00 PM at the district office, located at 2111 Oak Street in Florence. Faculty, staff, students, and the public are encouraged to attend; however, no quorum will be reached. The committee will discuss proposed updates to several policies, which will be presented at the November 20 school board meeting. Highlights include updates to Policy BCBA-AR(1) to establish a scholarship for student board representatives, revisions to Policy EBC on emergency plans, and reviews of policies on Section 504 support and public records requests. Outdated policies, such as DJCA – Personal Service Contracts, are set for removal. For more information, visit the district’s website.
Board of Commissioners
The Lane County Board of Commissioners will hold an executive session on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, to discuss pre-implementation compliance measures for integrating the Endangered Species Act in Oregon. This session, following the regular morning meeting, will cover confidential information under ORS 192.660, including exempt records and legal counsel consultation on potential litigation. The meeting will take place in a hybrid format at the BCC Conference Room.
Grief and Support Ideas Meeting
A community meeting on grief support during the holidays is scheduled for tomorrow, November 12, from 2-3:30 in the Bromley Room of the Siuslaw Public Library. The holidays often bring heightened feelings of loss, and this gathering aims to share ideas and build support for grief counseling in our community. All are welcome to join in this important discussion and find ways to support one another during the season.
Waldport Police Involved Shooting
Last night around 7:40 PM, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance involving gunfire at a residence on SE Rolph Court in Waldport. When a deputy arrived, they observed the subject exit the home carrying a firearm. The deputy fired, and the subject was shot. Deputies provided medical aid, but the individual was pronounced dead en route to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital. The Lincoln County Major Crimes Team, in line with the Deadly Force Plan, has activated an investigation led by Lincoln City Police, with support from multiple agencies, including the Newport Police and Oregon State Police.
Veterans Day
Today is Veterans day, and Florence’s annual parade will once again launch from Florence Christian Church at 2nd and Ivy Streets. Staging begins at 11:30 AM, with the parade starting its route through historic Old Town Florence at 1:00 PM. Participants can simply show up at staging to join. New this year, all entries must enter from Rhododendron Drive and Ivy Street, as Second Street will be used only for exiting. The route will be closed to regular traffic during the parade. Organizer say no political signs or flags will be allowed on the parade vehicles or carried by participants.. Tune in to KCST at 12:30 PM for a special one-hour music presentation honoring veterans.
