School District Monies Divert to Charter School
The opening of Whitmore Classical Academy is having a measurable financial impact on the Siuslaw School District. Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak says about 60 students who previously attended district schools have transferred to the charter academy, taking state education funding with them.
“With the 60 or so students that were previously enrolled with the district, that’s about a $500,000 shift in the budget.”
District projections show charter transfers in the lower grades alone account for more than $500,000 in lost revenue. Grzeskowiak says staffing reductions made earlier this year were anticipated as part of the enrollment change.
“All of the certified staffing changes, again, all the layoffs we implemented at the elementary school at the end of last year are directly related to redirected enrollment.”
District officials say class sizes are expected to remain near 20 students per classroom as staffing and enrollment levels are adjusted for the coming school year. Whitmore Classical Academy director Jennifer Waggoner added that until yesterday, the charter school had not received any state funding. She says “the economic challenges of school districts all over oregon, including Siuslaw, is a result of a myriad of issues: Lower birth rates, unsustainable PERS costs, COVID funds that were being used that now have gone away and parents making various school choices for their children.”
Unemployment Rate Steady
Oregon’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.2% in June, unchanged from May and the same as a year ago. The national rate was 4.2%. Oregon employers shed 600 jobs in June, with gains led by health care and social assistance, up 2,000 jobs. Manufacturing lost 1,700 jobs during the month and is down 10,000 jobs over the past year. Overall, Oregon nonfarm employment fell by 8,500 jobs compared with June of 2025.
Chamber to Host Ambassador Conference
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 2026 Oregon State Chamber Ambassador Conference October 1st through 3rd at Three Rivers Casino Resort. The annual event will bring Chamber Ambassador volunteers from communities across Oregon to Florence for leadership training, professional development, and networking. Chamber President and CEO Bettina Hannigan says the conference is an opportunity to showcase Florence as a destination for meetings and conventions while generating business for local hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions. Organizers expect hundreds of attendees from throughout the state.