September 10, 2019

Dear School Board Members,

Summer break has provided time for IC3S group members to reflect, consider and distill the experience and information collected through the Rob Saxton review process and subsequent report. From the onset, our goal has been to seek objective information and engage the community in an informative process that assists the School Board in creating the bridges necessary to build majority community support for CSD going forward. We are confident that this renewed community support is needed for long term program sustainability and facility improvement in the near term.

IC3S was intentionally assembled with a diversity of experience, expertise and opinion of what is “right” for our schools moving into the future. Through this process and with our varying backgrounds, we have come to a point of solidarity on several key points regarding “best” next steps. ​We respectfully ask that as a Board, in open discussion, you take the time to critique and discuss these defining statements that we cumulatively believe to be truths.​ ​If a majority of the Board concurs with our recommendations, we further ask that a Board planning session ensues to establish goals that are Specific​, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant ​and​ Time Bound.​ We do not believe it is our responsibility to tell the Board what to do, or how to do it. However, we do feel a responsibility to provide objective data and assimilate the resulting information into a package that provides a footing for the Board to begin the climb out of a contentious situation where community trust, support and involvement has lingered for several years. Rob Saxton’s Report explains more deeply this contention, and we have collectively experienced the struggle of past bond efforts. We believe we are entering a new era of opportunity and support informed by a process that has engaged the Board, Administration, Staff, students, parents and community members. This is a summation of what IC3S has come to understand and agrees upon:

1. A significant number of Corbett community members want the school population to be smaller than it is currently.​ Is the Board willing to make a calculated plan and action steps toward reducing the school population in the coming years? Rob Saxton’s Report provides the framework for this systematic downsizing to occur and his projections for increased school funding have now come to fruition for the next SSF biennium. Now is the time for the School Board to find majority consensus on the numbers and student population questions that have been in debate for several months.
2. A significant number of district parents and students would like to see less AP classes and more classes offering applied skills, CTE course work.​ We acknowledge the current CTE offerings at Corbett are robotics, computer science and culinary arts. A high level, rigorous and disciplined alternative course of study needs to be developed and expanded upon. Is the Board willing to explore more CTE alternatives to the AP for all programming at the HS?
3. A significant number of Corbett community members would like to see the School Board representing and serving the community differently than it has been and currently is.​ Greater consideration needs to be given to the educational preferences of the District’s residents and for whom the District was originally created as noted in Policy AB. Rob Saxton’s report and presentation highlighted the importance of prioritizing the needs and academic opportunities of In-District Students. As the School Board goes forward with the process to convert to a charter school as well as other district changes, please continue to clearly communicate information about the process and timelines. Creating a common vision with our school community plus clear, frequent communication will help us all move forward in sync.
4. Looking ahead, we understand there is additional revenue coming from the State next year through 2 means, the allotted ADM and the Oregon Student Success Act. Rob Saxton has voiced his opinion that Corbett now holds an opportunity to utilize these financial resources to reshape district size and programming for our school community. The spending plan for this additional revenue needs to be understood and supported by the broader school community. If reduced school size and increased CTE offerings are a priority for CSD Board, when can the community expect to see a deliberate spending plan devoted to meeting these goals?

Lastly, we’d like to hear a detailed status update from the Vision and Values committee that can be shared publicly. We can appreciate the lengthy process the Vision and Values committee has undertaken. An update for the beginning of this school year with a projected timeline for completion will be helpful information to share.

We know people of this community are watching the Board and wondering how you will respond as a group in light of the information and guidance contained in the Saxton review. The Board, School District and the community have entrusted our group in this process as well. Now it is time for us to collectively take the next steps to continue building the support necessary for the strong future of our school district. We are at a crossroads and collectively we have the capacity and information to make choices and take action that build support, stability and continue excellence.We want to support you in making the best decisions possible for our community. The community needs to hear your responses.

Thank you for your dedication to public service in our school community.

Sincerely,

Brad, Jeff & Mikaila

*** What we mean by "A significant number of Corbett community members" is derived from Mr. Saxton's report where he processed questionnaires from 104 community members, 41 staff members and 28 high school students. All responses were not the same, responses are categorized and written on page 29 - 34 of the Rob Saxton report. "A significant number of Corbett community members" also refers to the 1/3rds Mr. Saxton described in his presentation of 1/3rd of the community feels that things need to change at the school, 1/3rd who feel nothing needs to change to pass a bond and a 1/3rd who are more neutral on the topic. As Brad Garret describes in his testimony below, "A significant number of Corbett community members" also refers to the number of votes needed to pass a bond with a considerable margin.

Brad Garrett Testimony

Corbett School Board (9/18/19)

Chair Mickalson, Members of the Board, and Supt Trani –

Your public service is critical to a healthy democracy and I appreciate the time and effort each of you gives to ensure that students attending Corbett schools leave prepared to address the challenges they will face in tomorrow’s world. Trust is at the core of any healthy relationship – a segment of our community, significant enough in numbers to impact any bond measure effort, has made it very clear that they feel disenfranchised and frustrated. They have lost trust in the Superintendent and for some trust in the Board – they feel their voice is not being represented.

As school districts surrounding us build facilities for the 21st century – (Barlow, Reynolds, North Clackamas, Beaverton, Sherwood, and Portland Public as examples) – our community continues to fight amongst one another while our administrators, teachers, and kids at the middle and high school levels toil within inadequate facilities. Unfortunately, we are living in the past – just one tour of any of the facilities mentioned above would verify that.

Personally, I have and continue to support the creation of a Charter district. I am convinced that in order to survive into the future it is imperative that we be able to control our enrollment. Ironically, by taking this position I find myself at odds with some of my neighbors and friends who are quick to point out that they believe that previous versions of this Board have taken advantage of the ability to control the number. I moved to Corbett in 1996 – K-12 enrollment at that time was less than 600 students – the size of the District has doubled but the number of resident students has remained relatively constant.

It breaks my heart when a resident Corbett student leaves our district because their parent(s)/guardian feel they have no place in our school. I support a rigorous academic focus that raises the bar for all kids in this district, but I would hope that we have the flexibility to provide additional options for those students who may not be successful going down that type of academic track. The availability of vocational and technical education tracks that do not have an AP focus would pay dividends and provide concerned families with an additional option. I realize that moving towards a smaller district and modifying the curricular structure will also have real costs but failing to find a way to address the current divide in our community could have long term implications and as such should be the priority.

I would respectfully request that this Board not kick the proverbial can down the road – outline what you believe in, let everyone know what that is, and create an evaluation timeline to hold yourselves accountable.Compromise will involve all sides making concessions – without it our chances to improve our facilities and equipment for the school community are minimal. Too often in discussions over the last year I have heard statements like “I don’t”, “I won’t”, “I can’t” coming from all factions. So much more can be done if statements start with “We can” and “We will”. You as a Board can change the narrative and bring people together – exercise this power and by working together we can make a difference in the lives of many.

Both sides of these arguments have valid concerns – but both sides share the same basic common interests. The key to moving forward is to identify those interests and to compromise when needed. Neither side should get everything they want but both sides should get something. I appreciate the opportunity to testify tonight and leave you with three words – I TRUST YOU.