The Lebanon Community School District Board meeting took an unexpected turn on Sept. 12 during public comments when the principal and assistant principal of Seven Oak Middle School presented plaques to each board member. The plaques were a gesture of thanks for the board’s leadership and support in the recent remodeling of the school.
Following the presentation, the board moved into official business, starting with the swearing-in of two of the three new student school board members: Eric Natterer, Hannah Savedra and Finley Vandiver, who was absent.
Enrollment Update
Superintendent Jennifer Meckley provided a biannual enrollment update, noting that the district tracks enrollment daily. The biggest shift in enrollment occurred at Seven Oak Middle School, as it now includes sixth grade students following a recent construction build at the school. The largest drop was seen in kindergarten enrollment, which mirrors a statewide trend. Kindergarten enrollment is at 225 students, much lower than the numbers in upper grades.
Supt. Meckley also pointed out that the Sand Ridge Charter School has nearly doubled its kindergarten enrollment. She is unsure how many of those students are in or out of the district.
A board member asked how the enrollment numbers compare to the district’s budget projections and how that might impact them. Supt. Meckley stated they are down about 80 students, which will have a reduction of around $800,000 a year in funding.
Supt. Meckley also addressed the growing trend of students attending virtual charter schools, which could be impacting enrollment numbers. She emphasized that charter schools bring significant financial support to the districts that host them.

Assessment System Changes
Supt. Meckley also shared update changes to the district’s assessment systems. The district is transitioning from the STAR platform to the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) MAP Growth system.
“It is a better, more robust system that gives teachers the information they need to impact classroom instruction immediately. The NWEA MAP Growth syncs with the curriculum,” Supt. Meckley said, “so the data can then go right into the programs we have that align with the students’ skills.”
The new system will align with the district’s curriculum and require less frequent testing, giving teachers more usable data to track student progress and address individual needs.
OSBA Elections
The board discussed upcoming Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) elections, with a focus on nominating LCSD Board Member Clyde Rood to appear on the ballot for Zone 10. Rood, who has previously served on the OSBA board, spoke about his experience and how it has benefited the local community.
One board member emphasized the importance of maintaining trust and professionalism within the board, referencing concerns about a “backdoor email” designed to look like a district email. Despite these concerns, the motion to nominate Rood passed without further discussion.
Rood also mentioned that no one had yet been nominated for the OSBA Legislative Policy Committee and requested the board consider a nominee. However, some board members expressed discomfort with voting on this, as it was not on the agenda and they had little information on the candidate.
Facilities Usage Policy and New Hires
The board also discussed the district’s new facilities usage policy, with a focus on the fees for community use. While the policy has been updated, the board decided not to implement fees this year, opting instead to evaluate the system before potentially introducing charges next year. The projected revenue from fees is approximately $1,400 per month as it stands, but a few board members noted that the community has already paid for the facilities through taxes. A motion was passed to approve the policy changes while tabling fee collection until next year.

Department Reports
Chief Operations Officer, William Lewis, provided updates on several major construction projects completed over the summer, including the remodeling of Seven Oak Middle School. The project, funded in part by federal grants, allowed the district to maximize value while not going over budget.
Projects included roof repairs at Lacomb Elementary, which involved extensive design work, new electrical systems, lighting and ventilation. The interior classrooms that were affected were also updated, with the note that the lighting would need to be updated to LED lighting soon.
The Lebanon High School cafeteria project, dubbed the “Kitcheteria,” was remodeled with new serving lines, a salad bar, a federally required emergency exit and updated seating areas for the junior and senior lunch area. The cafeteria now offers a variety of food options, including deli sandwiches, Asian cuisine and grab-and-go items which have been well received by students, according to Lewis.
A district staff member reported that the district’s licensed employee retention rate had risen to 95% for the 2022-23 school year, up from 83% during the 2020-22 period.
Financial Updates
Financial Services Director Steven Prososki provided a financial report, noting that the district’s 2024-25 budget includes an ending fund balance of approximately $8.8 million, which puts the district in a stable financial position. The district also faced an unexpected cost needing to replace a bus lift for $391,000 dollars, significantly higher than the typical equipment replacement budget of around $20,000. Additionally, the district’s property and liability insurance costs increased by 20% rather than the budgeted 10%. This was largely due to the addition of newer buildings, but also follows in line with inflation.
Prososki wanted to specifically explain how the district handles cash flow and how it invests its cash to make sure there is money year round for payroll. Last year there were a few school districts caught by surprise to learn they didn’t have enough cash flow for their summer payroll. He explained at length how the district invests its money in money markets and other funds. He assured the board that, unlike other districts, Lebanon has not faced issues with meeting payroll and should not have an issue in the future because of how they manage the money.
Student Board Member Reports
Student board members shared their goals for the year. Natterer discussed attendance improvement initiatives and a potential Big Buddy system to foster a stronger school community. He also mentioned efforts to increase academic rigor.
Savedra expressed how she has enjoyed visiting schools in the district to meet with teachers and principals, with a plan to visit each school and to continue this throughout the year.

Superintendent’s Updates
Supt. Meckley announced that the district received the Preschool Promise Grant for Cascades School, which will fund 12 preschool slots for at-risk students, though the school can accommodate up to 18. The preschool is already in operation at Cascades.
She also discussed a new state requirement for each district to form an equity committee, with members nominated by the superintendent and approved by the board.
Supt. Meckley highlighted community efforts, including a school supply drive that provided 500 backpacks filled with supplies to Lebanon students noting the many volunteer hours that it takes to achieve this. Additionally, Arrow Vans donated 60 backpacks, after an Arrow Van employee nominated a local school, with $1,000 going to Riverview Elementary.
Finally, Supt. Meckley reflected on her participation in the 9/11 memorial event in Albany, where she shared her experience as a third grade teacher during the attacks. She praised the continued tradition of these ceremonies, ensuring that the community “never forgets.”