• Riverdale School Board Interim Superintendent Search Update

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 7/30/2021

  Friday, July 30 Riverdale School Board Interim Superintendent Search Update Dear Riverdale Community, We write to update you on our Interim Superintendent Search. As a reminder, the District is being led temporarily by Acting Superintendent Sascha Perrins, who is on loan to us from the Multnomah Education Service District. The Board recently decided to pursue the hiring of an Interim Superintendent to lead the District so that we can act during their tenure to thoughtfully and deliberately conduct a full search for a Superintendent. The Board engaged the experienced and respected team at Human Capital Enterprises (HCE) to coordinate the Interim Superintendent Search. Last Saturday, the Board conducted a work study with Hank Harris and Robyn Bean of HCE to discuss options for the Interim Superintendent search. Topics included the search timeline, whether the Interim position will be one or two years, salary ranges, candidate background checks, and how to ensure community input. We encourage you to watch the meeting recording (linked above) to hear those details.

  Public Engagement The Board is committed to engaging with the Riverdale community to deliberate toward hiring our district executive. All materials related to the search will be posted to the Riverdale website here. As always, we also welcome individual communications via phone or email and public comment at our Board meetings.  In addition, a group of community stakeholders will be convened (see list below), some by lottery (parents, students and a community member) and some by appointment (PTC Board members), to participate in candidate interviews. The Board is sincerely committed to an inclusive process and has adopted this structure in order to maximize and broaden community representation in this process. Several positions will be open to Riverdale students, parents, and community members. You and your student will be able to apply for these positions by following the instructions and completing the application included in the District Newsletter, which will be sent later today. Please note that you must be available on August 13th from 8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m. for the virtual interviews. A community member lottery will be conducted by HCE on August 6th. The Board will play no role in the lottery process. Those selected will be announced on August 6th and will be thoroughly trained on interview procedures prior to the interviews. The final stakeholder committee list will be published publicly.

  Search Timeline

  Thank you for your support and involvement as we move forward as a community to select our Interim Superintendent.  Sincerely, Your Riverdale School Board   Carrie Spurlock, Chair Jeff Dominitz, Vice Chair Kevin McPherson, Director Joe Prats, Director Michele Rosenbaum, Director

  Comments (0)

• Riverdale School Board July 20 Message

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 7/20/2021

  Riverdale School Board July 20 Message Dear Riverdale Community, We hope this message finds you well and enjoying time with your family. Summer is typically a slow time in our small District, but this year that is not the case. As you likely know, the District is in a period of leadership transition. While change can be unsettling, we see this period as an opportunity to work together as a community and emerge stronger and more unified. To that end, we wanted to share with you information about our new Board members, District leadership hiring and when you can expect to learn more about our fall reopening plans.

  New Board Directors Two new Board Directors, Jeff Dominitz and Michele Rosenbaum, were sworn in earlier this month. They join Kevin McPherson, Joe Prats and Carrie Spurlock. Please join us in welcoming Jeff and Michele. We look forward to working together on behalf of our children in the years to come.

  Jeff Dominitz Since moving into the Riverdale School District in 2013, Jeff has been deeply involved in the Riverdale school community as a parent of three, a volunteer in the classroom and on the ball fields, and a member of various volunteer committees. A Ph.D. economist, Jeff has spent his professional career working to help households, businesses, and governmental organizations make better decisions. As principal researcher at a nonprofit, he worked with school districts and states across the country to help them respond to Covid-19. His research findings have been cited in hundreds of publications, including leading journals of economics, econometrics, statistics, and survey methods as well as a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

  Michele Rosenbaum Michele Rosenbaum and her husband, David, chose Riverdale in 2008 before the birth of their twin sons, Jack and Aiden (RGS 7th grade). Their two older children, Sarah and Hanna, also attended Riverdale Grade School and Hanna graduated from Riverdale High School in 2017.  After graduating from University of California at Los Angeles, Michele worked in real estate and owned a fashion retail/design small business. While actively volunteering in many different roles in the Riverdale community since 2009, she has most recently been a member of the District, High School and Grade School Equity Teams. Michele has standing office hours on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. To attend these hours or schedule time, please contact her at mrosenbaum@riverdale.k12.or.us Please click here to learn more about our three returning Board members.

  District Leadership Hiring Update At a Special Board Meeting last night, the Board voted to engage Human Capital Enterprises, a well-respected school staffing consultancy, to lead us in the expedited hiring of an Interim Superintendent, as a first step toward searching for a long-term superintendent. We acknowledged the desire to bring on an experienced leader as an Interim Superintendent who can help us look at improving administrator and staff retention in order to inform the search for a long-term Superintendent. We are committed to engaging the Riverdale community throughout this process by keeping you fully informed via communications, public meetings and participation in interviews. To learn more details about the hiring process and how to get involved, please tune in to our Board Work Study this Saturday, July 24 at 8 a.m. As we work to fill current leadership openings, Multnomah Education Service District (MESD) is supporting Riverdale with important technical services. MESD serves all school districts in Multnomah County with a variety of programs, including academic supports, special education programming, communication services, business services and other administrative supports. Sascha Perrins, MESD Assistant Superintendent, will serve as Riverdale's Acting Superintendent and can be reached at superintedent@riverdale.k12.or.us. We are grateful to Sascha for lending his professionalism and experience to Riverdale this summer. Human Capital Enterprises will also assist with the selection process for hiring Principals for RGS and RHS. Hiring of Principals is a Superintendent-led process, and Sascha is working collaboratively with the Board during this unique time at Riverdale. The positions are currently posted with the goal of hiring new principals in the coming weeks to be ready for the opening of school.

  Fall Planning Riverdale School District expects to fully reopen schools to full-day, five-day-a-week in-person learning this Fall. There are always many details to consider for the start of school, and this year those details will continue to include Covid-19 safety measures. The District will continue to partner with public health officials and follow Oregon Department of Education guidance to reopen safely. The District will also focus on working collaboratively with community members in developing reopening plans. We have scheduled a Board Work Study on Monday, July 26 at 7 p.m. to discuss the latest state guidance and hear a presentation from Dr. Ann Loeffler, Multnomah County Deputy Health Officer and pediatric infectious disease specialist.  Thank you for your continued support. We’re eager to work forward – always with the best interest of our students at top of mind – to address the current challenges with your partnership, and we look forward to a bright school year ahead. As always, please contact us with questions or concerns.  Sincerely, Carrie Spurlock, Chair cspurlock@riverdale.k12.or.us Jeff Dominitz, Vice Chair jdominitz@riverdale.k12.or.us Kevin McPherson, Director kmcpherson@riverdale.k12.or.us Joe Prats, Director jprats@riverdale.k12.or.us Michele Rosenbaum, Director mrosenbaum@riverdale.k12.or.us

  Important Dates: Saturday, July 24 at 8 a.m. - School Board Work Study re: Interim Superintendent Hiring  Monday, July 26 at 7 p.m. - School Board Work Study re: Fall Planning Monday, Aug. 2 - School Board Meeting Monday, Aug. 9 - School Board Work Study & Retreat Monday, Aug. 9 - School Board Meeting                      Friday, Aug. 27 - RHS First Day for 9th & 10th graders and new students Monday, Aug. 30 - First Day of School Tuesday, Sept. 7 - First Day of School for Kindergarteners

  Comments (0)

• Important Update from Riverdale School Board

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 6/29/2021

  Dear Riverdale Community Members,

  “The only thing permanent is change” – Heraclitus. This quote was true in 500 BC as well as in the 2020-2021 school year proving the quote has withstood the test of time.

  As of June 30, 2021, Interim Superintendent Joanna Tobin will be leaving the Riverdale family. Joanna came to our district eight years ago as our Grade School Principal and soon became an active Riverdale parent as well. Her improvements to curriculum and instruction, professional development and equity work have paved the road for even further success in the coming years. Joanna’s high professional standards have enhanced our District in every way. She enhanced the District business office capabilities, hired senior personnel, and stepped up to serve as our District’s Interim Superintendent in the middle of a pandemic. Her hard work and dedication to Riverdale will be missed. We wish her only the best.

  This is a time of transition in the District. While transitions bring mixed emotions, the District will focus on the opportunity for us to work together as a Board, Parents, Teachers and Staff to further the mission of our District. We are committed to continue to provide a stellar education for our children. The Riverdale community should expect the incoming Board to begin a new Superintendent search in collaboration with the greater community. In the interim, the current Board Leadership is in conversation with MESD staff, specifically assistant Superintendent Sascha Perrins, to secure temporary services to assist the District during the transition. Our new HR Coordinator, Tammie Wing, will help round out our current staff. Business at the district office will continue to run as normal.

  It has been a great pleasure working with Joanna during our tenure on the Riverdale School Board. Please join us in congratulating Joanna on her next chapter, though we will genuinely miss her.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Carrie Outhier Banks, Chair
  Joe Prats, Vice Chair
  John Bogaty
  Carrie Spurlock
  Kevin McPherson

  Comments (0)

• End of the Year Thank You

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 6/9/2021

  End of the Year Thank You

  To all members of the Riverdale School District,

  As we approach the end of this incredibly unique and challenging school year, we'd like to take a few moments to say thank you. 

  Thank you to our administrators, faculty and support staff who joined together to help our students, our families and each other. To everyone within our organization, thank you for your willingness to change direction almost instantly when there was forced closure of our buildings last March. Everyone pulled together to completely rethink the way we educate.

  Thank you, again, to our teachers, support staff and administrators for your commitment to our students and your delivery of quality instruction, an effort that could not have been accomplished without your dedication. Almost every aspect of your professional lives dramatically changed due to this pandemic. Your response was prompt and unwavering, and you deserve our lasting gratitude.

  The times we are experiencing will be the subject of history, economics and social lessons for generations to come. Each day’s work was groundbreaking and shall continue to be. This crisis also has provided the opportunity to examine almost all aspects of our responsibilities...differently. It directed us to analyze how to take advantage of technology, an exercise that resulted in more flexibility in meeting and addressing the needs of students. Nothing will ever erase the necessity and the value of the personal connections so vital to the job we do. However, the creativity you displayed in sustaining that work – remotely – has been exemplary, not an easy challenge, but you were more than UP TO THE TASK.

  We also would like to thank our students and families...

  The pandemic placed stress in every corner of our daily lives. From an educational perspective, it removed the reassuring custom of daily physical school gatherings and the comfort that provided. Suddenly, in its place were solitary, and sometimes, isolated times and settings. Aside from the serious health concerns of COVID-19, this isolation presented one of the greatest challenges faced by students, faculty, administrators, parents and our school district.

  Students and families met these days, weeks and months with courage and resilience. Because of that strength, we have responded with determination, perseverance, and to the best of our ability and, certainly, in the best interest of our students.

  Finally, to our Interim Superintendent. Your work from dawn until dusk 5-6 days a week taking us into CDL and out – leading the first and only K-8 public school in the area to be back almost full time – has been nothing short of extraordinary. Your commitment to Riverdale during this year represents the best of your profession - A JOB WELL DONE, and it shall not be forgotten. Thank you.

  HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!!! WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL ON CAMPUS IN THE FALL.

  Carrie Banks, Chair

  Joe Prats, Vice Chair

  John Bogaty

  Kevin McPherson

  Carrie Spurlock

  Comments (0)

• Letter from the Riverdale School Board

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 3/1/2021

  Dear Riverdale Families,

  On March 9th, we begin our journey to come back to school. Classrooms are not meant to be empty. After a long wait, Riverdale hallways will begin to bustle with our youngest students first. Within weeks, we will have most of our students back in our school buildings who are choosing hybrid. Whether participating in a hybrid model (partial in-person, partial CDL only) or continuing in CDL, our staff is eager to support our students as they begin, continue or near the end of their educational journeys at Riverdale.

  We remain steadfast in our continued commitment to academic excellence, innovative practices, school safety and inclusivity. We are proud of our achievements and grateful for our school community.

  Coming back in a hybrid learning model can be an exciting, celebratory time. But we must acknowledge that the current culture and climate can make embarking on this new mode of school a time filled with concern and fear for some. To recognize this is to recognize the humanity of us all. Our teachers, counselors and principals are preparing to meet these new demands with grace and compassion.

  Thank you to the parents who have commented during Board meetings and emailed us with thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how to improve on the hybrid plans proposed during and since our last Board meeting. We are confident that our Principals and Interim Superintendent are listening and will continue to improve on their proposals before, during and after they launch - adapting to student and family needs. 

  We are committed to engaging with all members of our school community to ensure safe, welcoming spaces for all students to learn in, for all staff to work in and for all community members to eventually be able to visit when we are fully open.

  To all our student communities and families, we welcome this next chapter.

  Respectfully,

  Carrie Banks, Chair

  Joe Prats, Vice Chair

  John Bogaty

  Carrie Spurlock

  Kevin McPherson

  Comments (0)

• Message to Parents From School Board 

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 1/15/2021

  Dear Parents and Guardians,   As we begin 2021, the Riverdale School Board would like to express our sincerest appreciation to our parents, guardians, and students for your incredible patience and flexibility. We understand the enormous responsibility and challenges that Comprehensive Distance Learning placed on parents, guardians, and students as you had to create time, space, routine, and support for learning at home. We realize that all of our families are experiencing a difficult time and that there are many other needs, in addition to student learning, that are critical as we continue to work through this pandemic together. We are so thankful to our families and students for all the amazing gestures of kindness and generosity we continue to hear about. From donating to food banks and clothing drives, to thanking first responders, doctors and nurses and writing notes of gratitude to teachers and staff. Tutoring services have been created by our high school students for the younger grades, which exemplifies lifting each other up. We honor all of you and your acts of generosity and kindness, patience and resilience, and the fortitude and determination you have demonstrated. Together, we will finish strong.   With sincere thanks, Carrie Banks, Board Chair Joe Prats, Vice Chair John Bogaty, Member Carrie Spurlock, Member Kevin McPherson, Member

  Comments (0)

• New Board Member Welcome

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 12/15/2020

  Please join us in welcoming our newest Board member, Kevin McPherson. Kevin and his wife, Dimati, originally joined the Riverdale School District community in 2008 as an out-of-district family. His oldest daughter, Shayla, is a graduate of RHS and is currently a junior at the University of Southern California. His youngest daughter, Kendra, is a 7th grader at RGS. Kevin has been an active member of the Riverdale Community, coaching girls basketball at RGS since 2010. Kevin is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and is currently a Regional Director for Fidelity Institutional Asset Management.

  Kevin took over the unexpired term of Michelle Janke, which will be up in June 2021. 

  Thank you to all who participated in the search process. 

   

  Carrie Banks

  Joe Prats

  John Bogaty

  Carrie Spurlock

  Comments (0)

• A message from the Riverdale School Board and Administration

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 11/17/2020

   

  Dear Riverdale Community, 

  Last night, Board Director Carrie Banks shared the following message at the Nov. 16 Riverdale School Board Meeting: 

  Formal complaints were brought forward over the summer highlighting concerns related to our high school. These complaints were specific to our high school administrative response to incidents of racism, bullying and harassment, and culture at the school. Over the summer, our former superintendent reviewed the complaints, informed our former high school principal that they had been filed and moved forward in response through a private review and report. 

  The Hungerford Law Firm hired Dawn Strong to conduct an independent review of the complaints on behalf of Riverdale School District. This process was completed on Nov. 2, 2020. The resulting report shares information showing an urgent need for our district to expect and require future response to incidents be handled thoroughly and in compliance with the new All Students Belong guidance from the Oregon Department of Education. To protect the identity of the minors involved, a thorough condensation of the report will be available for public review.

  We are committed to this work. Moving forward, we are committed to proactive anti-racist, anti-bullying teaching and learning and to ensuring a safe environment for our students to report incidents of harm and see necessary action taken. We are committed to learning from the information brought forward, to healing, and to moving forward in a productive, thorough manner with student confidentiality, rights and voices central to action taken. Our interim superintendent and new high school principal have also spent hours listening to the Bride family and their hurt and loss of their son Carson. We continue to actively and urgently address the school culture through multiple avenues. Thank you for bringing your concerns forward. We are committed to conversation, growth and improvement for the benefit of Riverdale students, staff and community. 

  Below is a list of actions taken, though not exhaustive, in response to these serious concerns and in commitment to growth and improvement:

  • Active Equity and Inclusion Teams at each school and the district level

  • Use of Teaching Tolerance Social Justice Standards K-12 

  • Creation of a new position Equity and Inclusion Coordinator and Restorative Justice Coach

  • Professional development - at the beginning of the school year for all K-12 employees and ongoing 

  • Ongoing consultation and partnership (for staff and students) with Public Speaker and Author Wjuana Montgomery focusing on building an ongoing culture of belonging

  • Curriculum review including a launch of EverFi Curriculum 

  • Weekly use of restorative circles in HS Advisory to develop community norms and habits of respect and kindness

  • Teaching students how to report incidents using SafeOregon 

  • Our new HS principal and HS counselor are intentionally creating a culture of care in alignment with the All Students Belong guidance from ODE.

  • Board to review Adi Act Board Policy at December Board Meeting 

  • Partnership with YouthLine in Advisory classes at Riverdale High School

  We are steadfast in our commitment and invite your partnership and teamwork as a community as we learn and grow together. 

  Sincerely, 

  Riverdale School Board and Administration

  Comments (0)

• Anti-Racism Resolution

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 8/13/2020

  The Riverdale School Board is pleased to share an important resolution adopted during the August 10 Regular School Board Meeting condemning racism and committing to being an anti-racist School District. We appreciate the contributions of many community members, and especially our RGS and RHS Equity and Inclusion Teams, in supporting our commitments and contributing to this important work.

  ANTI-RACISM RESOLUTION

  Comments (0)

• Acting Superintendent Announcement

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 8/11/2020

  Acting Superintendent Announcement

  The Riverdale School Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Joanna Tobin as Acting Superintendent of Riverdale School District. Her appointment was approved on Aug. 10, 2020 at the regular meeting of the Board and is effective starting Aug. 11 following the resignation of outgoing Superintendent Jim Schlachter.

  Leadership transitions present unique obstacles and opportunities, and are particularly challenging in the midst of a global pandemic. Ms. Tobin’s deep knowledge of the district, its schools, our personnel, and the community will provide district leadership continuity at a critical time of planning for fall’s Return to Learn. Ms. Tobin has served as the Grade School Principal for the past seven years. She has also served in additional leadership roles in her 21-year career, including Acting Director of English Language Learners, Curriculum Director, has paved a path forward in our District Equity and Inclusion work and has led the District Planning Team for 2020/21 back-to-school plans. She also has extensive experience teaching, counseling, coaching, and in administration (K-12).

  The Board thanks Joanna for stepping into the Acting role during this especially challenging time. She has our full support, and we look forward to working with her in this new capacity. Additionally, the Board will use budgeted funds to hire a consultant to guide us through a Superintendent search this fall and the Board plans to discuss the process at a later Board meeting. Per our usual procedures, we will also work with a team of community members to hire a permanent Superintendent for our schools.

  Comments (0)

• Board Letter on Inclusion

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 6/15/2020

  Riverdale Community,

   

  As we see what is happening across our community and country, we cannot help but think about our role in the resulting conversation. We must face our shortcomings and increase our efforts to listen to the experiences of students and staff. We must be sure to progress from talk to specific and intentional actions. Now is a time for examination, conversation, self-reflection, and action towards progress. Listening to our own students, we realize that we have work to do in our community as well.

  Relationships between and among students and between and among staff and community matter. We strive to maintain a safe, collaborative and inclusive culture that empowers each student to actively engage in a meaningful educational experience. If school campuses were open, we would ensure students could share their thoughts, feelings and fears in class discussions or peaceful demonstrations. Our campuses are closed, so right now, the most important action we can take is to listen to our students and our colleagues with sensitivity, understanding, empathy and hope.

  The work of true reform around issues of social justice will not happen overnight, and we will need everyone’s unified efforts. We are all responsible for holding each other accountable when we see injustice in our schools, and we must be open to both listening and making changes that address those injustices. Now is the time for all leaders in all communities to self-reflect and move forward in unison to help resolve the issues we all  face.

  Our pledge to our students, families, and staff is to increase our efforts and awareness so that students, staff, and families never feel uncomfortable, left out, or unwelcome in our district.

  Culture change is what we are talking about in the community at large and at our schools. A place where students are respected and feel respected. We are supporting our school leaders in increased communication to students, parents and staff about the rules that explain how harassment can be reported and how reports of harassment will be handled. District policies (JFCF, JBA) require and support the reporting of harassment to a designated school official.; prohibit retaliation against anyone who reports harassment; and, to the extent possible, protect the confidentiality of anyone who is involved in a report of harassment. Students need to feel safe speaking up for themselves or others.

  As we complete a school year unlike any other in our academic history, we have an opportunity to stop, reflect and get to work to make our next school year one of growth. Riverdale School Board has a strong commitment to equity and inclusion. We acknowledge that we have work to do within our system. As a school district, we are committed to challenging ourselves and questioning how we  can make changes to from within. We are compelled to creating a place where everyone has an opportunity to learn and work in spaces of respect and belonging. We can and we must do better. The future of our community depends on it.

   

  Sincerely,

   

  John Bogaty, Chair

  Joe Prats, Vice-Chair

  Michelle Janke, Member

  Carrie Banks, Member

  Carrie Spurlock, Member

  Comments (0)

• Thank you to All Staff and Teachers

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 4/13/2020

  To All Staff and Teachers,

  
  Thank you for launching Riverdales Distance Learning on April 1st (12 days before ODE Guidance).
  Thank you for your hard work and willingness to make adjustments on how you teach students with little notice.
  Thank you for demonstrating patience and grace.
  Thank you for caring about our student's success while tending to your own family and stresses.
  Thank you for working with parents to meet their student's needs, which is often not seen by others.
  Thank you for working overtime and during your spring break.
  Thank you for your willingness to be vulnerable and for your willingness to do hard things.
  Thank you for missing our children. They miss you too.
  
  We are only 9 school days into our distance learning model, and everyone is doing a great job!!
  
  Thank you.
  
  Riverdale School Board

  Comments (0)

• Riverdale School Board winter letter

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 1/20/2020 8:00:00 AM

  Dear Riverdale Community,
  
  We’d like to share a warm welcome (despite the forecasted weather) to the start of a new year AND a new decade. As we head into 2020, we’re reflecting on fall successes and are anticipating a busy spring in the District. Here’s a look at what’s been going on, a look forward and information about how you can get involved.

  Fall Happenings

  Student Success Act work

  This fall, we worked hard with our Superintendent, teachers and greater Riverdale Community to identify focus areas for our Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP), the required first step to securing funding from the Student Success Act (SSA). Click here to view the finished product. Please see below for more information about next steps in securing our SSA funding. 

  Superintendent Schlachter

  We are glad to announce that we’ve extended Superintendent Jim Schlachter’s tenure with the District through June 2021. Jim has provided stable and experienced leadership to our District, and we are happy to get more of his time with a new .8 time contract beginning this month. Jim’s experience will help guide us through the complex SSA funding process this year and set the course for continued District success.

  Foundation’s Annual Campaign

  We’d like to thank the Riverdale Foundation for organizing another successful fundraising campaign. To date, we’ve received over $1.4 million in donations with a 71 percent participation rate. As you know, these funds are necessary to bridge the gap between monies received through public funding and the true cost of a Riverdale education. Thank you to Campaign Chair, Amber Hillman, Foundation Board Members, call captains and to our generous parents, grandparents, neighbors, alumni and other community members for their support. Although the formal campaign has ended, the Foundation gratefully accepts donations at any time.

  Improving communication 

  This school year we’ve worked to improve communication and planning among our District stakeholders by inviting the Riverdale Teacher Association and RHS/RGS Parent Teacher Clubs to participate at our Board meetings. On that note, RTA President, Adam McLain, and Vice President, Jen McDonald, shared the following update with us. We are grateful for their leadership and contributions to the District.
  
  “Here at roughly the halfway point through the year, the Riverdale Teachers Association is pleased to report on some of the collaboration we've shared with the District this year. The Student Success Act, of course, provides great opportunities for all stakeholders to be involved in planning for ways to improve student experiences and outcomes thanks to that new investment.

  We appreciate having a presence and a voice with our community at board meetings. Through this, we've been able to share some of the incredible work being done by the teachers of Riverdale, including deep, intensive writing instruction, and diverse college-level opportunities and focus. We hope to continue to share such examples, like the rocket projects at both buildings, and the inclusion of family members to share unique family traditions at the grade school. At those board meetings, we've also been able to share concerns and thoughts as they arise and are grateful to the board for listening well and responding thoughtfully.

  RTA building representatives have been meeting regularly with principals for open, proactive communication, and always, we have found the door to Jim Schlachter's office to be open for creative, collaborative problem solving. It is our hope and belief that this should be the way of business at Riverdale: that through clear communication and an intention to understand and solve problems, we can empower teachers to be creative and bold in their work with students, and we can make this the most excellent educational institution it can be.”

  Looking Forward

  Student Success Act (SSA) Update

  This January and February we will continue our work to finalize our Student Success Act application, which is due in March. Not familiar with the SSA? In 2019, the state voted to approve additional funding to invest in Oregon’s public schools. These funds are required to be spent within the four categories detailed below in order to improve mental health outcomes and increase academic achievement for underserved student populations.
  
  Riverdale School District expects to receive at least $400,000 for the 2020-21 school year. We continue to engage our community with roundtable discussions, surveys, and conversations about how Riverdale can best use these funds.  We have received almost 200 responses from our most recent survey emailed to Riverdale community/parents/staff, which will help us prioritize our incoming SSA funding. Next, we’ll be sending the YouthTruth Survey to our students, families and teachers to learn about school climate and culture and the students’ academic experience. 
  
  Additionally, we are forming a community SSA Advisory Group to include parents, staff, School Board and PTC members to help guide and finalize our application.
  
  If you have additional questions regarding the SSA, please reach out to the Superintendent, a School Board member and/or attend upcoming School Board meetings as we are always grateful for additional parent input.

  SAA Funds Four Areas:

  	Reducing Class Size	Ensure appropriate student-teacher ratios or staff caseloads and/or increasing the use of instructional assistants
  	Increasing Instructional Time	Increase student schedule efficiency and updating technology to improve instruction.
  	Improving Health & Safety	Social and emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, student mental and behavioral health.
  	Well-Rounded Education	Increase access to: Art, Music, PE, STEM, CTE, engaging electives, accelerated college credit programs, including dual credit, IB, AP, Life Skills, TAG, and access to licensed educators with a library media endorsement.

  RGS/RHS Update

  Our main focus is always student success at RGS and RHS, and we work closely with the Principals at both schools to that end. The Grade School team has worked especially hard recently to meet students' behavioral needs. We’re glad to announce the creation of a new position, Behavior Specialist/Restorative Coach, to assist with student behavioral difficulties at RGS. This job will be posted as soon as possible with an effort to strengthen our school climate and culture. 
  
  RHS is making strides in college counseling and testing. Students are signed up to take approximately 55 AP tests in the spring, over a 50 percent increase from last year. Additionally, many juniors have been encouraged to begin thinking about taking SAT Subject Tests in June. We’re also glad to offer a 5-6 week ACT preparation course this spring. In electives news, the Elective Survey conducted last spring reinvigorated our Elective Program. We successfully added new courses and embedded career and life skills into existing courses. We have received positive reviews from students and teachers regarding these changes.

  Budget Committee

  Lastly, we’re gearing up for budget season, and need to fill at least one member position and one alternate position on the Budget Committee. Budget Committee members join School Board members to review the Superintendent's proposed budget and to engage in meaningful discussions on how Riverdale allocates its resources. Are you a voter in the District who is interested in joining us? Please click here to download an application. 

  We look forward to seeing you on our campuses this spring,
  
  John Bogaty, Chair
  Joe Prats, Vice Chair
  Carrie Banks
  Michelle Janke
  Carrie Spurlock

  Comments (0)

• Welcome to the 2019-20 School Year

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 9/10/2019

   

  Dear Riverdale Community,

  The Riverdale School Board would like to extend a warm welcome to the 2019-20 school year! We wanted to share with you some background about the Board, explain a bit about what we do and let you know what’s in store for the year ahead.

  What we do

  The School Board consists of five in-district residents elected at large for four-year terms. We are responsible for guiding and overseeing the educational program for Riverdale students. The Board determines the long-range direction of the District, establishes policy, approves the annual budget, communicates with our school community, employs and evaluates the Superintendent, negotiates employee salaries and benefits and calls on bond proposals. 
  
  We hold bi-weekly work study meetings and full Board meetings every four weeks, both of which are open to the public. We strongly encourage you to attend these meetings and participate during the public comment portion if you have a comment or concern about an educational issue. We also welcome you to share positive news or feedback - we love knowing what's working and going well. We can also be reached via email at the addresses below. We love hearing from you and welcome your input!
  
  As Board members and active community members with children at RGS and RHS, parents frequently bring to our attention problems that their child is experiencing in a particular class, or other concerns that should first be brought to Riverdale staff. As a reminder, the board is typically the “last stop” on such matters; please first work with your student’s teacher, notify the Principal if necessary and then elevate the issue to the Superintendent. 

  Who we are

  John Bogaty, Chair 

  John was recently appointed board chair after previously serving as Vice Chair. This is his eighth year serving on the Riverdale School Board. John and his wife, Heather, have a 7th grade son, 11th grade daughter and a 2019 RHS grad who just left for college. He is co-owner and president of PNT, providing cloud-based technology and telecommunications services to businesses. 

  Joe Prats, Vice Chair

  Joe has been part of the Riverdale school community for the past 12 years with his wife, Michelle, and their children Mercedes (9th grade) and Seve (6th grade). Joe has served on the board since 2014 and has been involved with the Riverdale Foundation since 2011. Joe is co-founder and managing partner of ieSolutions, a contract staffing firm providing information technology, engineering, technician and administrative professional resources.

  Carrie Banks, Director

  Carrie Outhier Banks, Ph.D., recently stepped down as the Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Safe Dialogue, which she founded in 2006. Carrie and her husband, Jonathan, have three children: Benjamin is a Freshman at NYU (RHS 2019), Lillie a Senior at RHS and Stella is an 8th grader at RGS.

  Michelle Janke, Director

  Michelle grew up in Portland, and she returned in 2009 to raise her family here. She is co-owner of the strategy and organizational change consultancy Coraggio Group. She has been on the board since 2013 and has served as Board Chair. Michelle has a 9th grader, Nathan, and 11th grader, Emma, at Riverdale High School.

  Carrie Spurlock, Director

  Carrie was elected to the board in May and is the newest RSB member. Carrie is a licensed attorney with a background in public service and communications. She has been actively involved in all things Riverdale since moving to the District in 2015. She has two  boys at RGS: William in kindergarten and Henry in 3rd grade.

  Board Priorities for 2019-20

  The School District and the School Board are always working hard to continue Riverdale’s tradition of educational excellence. Here are a few items we are prioritizing this school year:

  1. Continue to work on the five-year strategic plan by implementing action items and changes to deliver measurable results and accomplishments detailed in the plan. 
  2. Maximize additional school funding from the recently passed Student Success Act. It appears likely that Riverdale will receive over $400,000 in additional funding per school year. This additional state funding will only be available after the District completes a comprehensive continuous improvement plan (CIP) that will be submitted to the Oregon Department of Education. The CIP will be developed utilizing extensive input and collaboration from staff and the community. At our Oct. 21, 2019 work study beginning at 4:30 p.m., we will have a community engagement process. We encourage you to attend and participate in this important step in creating the CIP.
  3. Maintain School District stability with sound leadership, transparent communications and improved collaboration with all stakeholders.
  4. Increase communication to the entire school community - parents, teachers, staff, students and neighbors - through social media and traditional methods, and increase feedback from our community to help our District achieve its potential. Did you know Riverdale School District is now on Instagram and Facebook? Look for us at @RiverdaleSchoolDistrictk12
      

  We Need You!

  Lastly, we hope that all of you will encourage regular participation in our meetings and/or work studies. The full calendar is available here, and the meeting agenda with a list of scheduled discussion topics for both work study meetings and full Board meetings is available the Friday before each meeting on our Board website.

  Sincerely, 
  
  John Bogaty, Chair
  Joe Prats, Vice-Chair
  Carrie Banks
  Michelle Janke
  Carrie Spurlock

  Comments (0)

• Celebrating accomplishments and projects underway

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 12/18/2018

  Dear Riverdale Community,

  It’s hard to believe we are already in the second trimester of the 2018-19 school year and winter break is almost here. This year is truly flying by, and we hope that everyone is enjoying the season and looking forward to 2019.

  As we reflect on the past several months, the school board is excited to celebrate several accomplishments and also share a variety of projects that are underway and will have a positive impact on our school district in the months and years to come.

  Let’s start with some exciting news:

  Riverdale test scores

  Riverdale again ranked among the top schools in Oregon based on last spring’s Smarter Balanced state test scores. You can find this information and more in our district’s state report cards on the Oregon Department of Education's website by searching for Riverdale. The reports are also available on our district website under About Us > Our Schools.

  Superintendent Schlachter

  Jim Schlachter, who has been serving as our interim superintendent since July, continues to do a fantastic job for our district. We are delighted to share that he recently agreed to extend his contract (at .6 FTE) with Riverdale for an additional year. This is truly great news for district stability and predictability, and for the community as a whole. We are grateful for his leadership and look forward to the next 18 months being especially productive with Jim at the helm.

  Foundation’s Annual Campaign

  This year, the Riverdale School Foundation achieved its best results ever — raising more than $1.35 million to date and reaching a 76 percent participation rate (our highest since we have been tracking it). Even though the campaign has officially ended, the foundation would welcome additional contributions to help meet its $1.5 million goal. To donate or pledge, visit www.riverdalefoundation.org.

  We extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the foundation members that worked on the campaign and to the community members that generously contributed to making this our best year yet. A special thank you goes to Amber Hillman, the campaign chair. She was an inspiring leader for this effort and the results speak for themselves.

  New board member

  We’d like to formally introduce Paul Spellman as our newest school board member. Paul is filling the seat vacated by Nicole Grayson, who moved out of the district this past summer. Paul and his wife Alana have three children attending Riverdale Grade School — a son in 8th grade, another son in 6th grade and a daughter in 2nd grade. This is the family’s eighth year living in the neighborhood. Please join us in welcoming Paul to the school board.

  Here’s the work in progress we mentioned earlier:

  Strategic planning

  Led by Superintendent Schlachter, and facilitated by Mike Dugas of Vision Creation Consulting, we are updating the district’s strategic plan for the next few years. With involvement from parents, teachers, administrators, PTC and foundation officers, school board members and students, we will have a new strategic plan that will clearly establish our priorities and goals for many years to come.

  We have had three very productive strategic planning sessions to date and it is our intention to have a completed vision and plan in April. It has been a great experience to see many different members of our school community working together for a common purpose that we can all believe in and get behind. Everybody has provided welcome input and it has been especially helpful to hear from our students. You can read more about the strategic planning process and the progress that has been made in the next issue of the district newsletter, the Riverdale Review, which should arrive to your home this weekend.

  Budget and finance

  Financial budgeting and projections have been, and continue to be, a top priority for our district this year. To help our schools with budget projections for the next two years, Superintendent Schlachter and our business manager, Cindy Duley, have been working with an outside budget expert, Rick Larsen, to provide a detailed and accurate budget projection for the remainder of this year and next year. As anticipated, the governor’s proposed budget was built on a “current service level” model — keeping schools within the same operational constraints. With predictable increases in PERS costs, this is less than we need, but does not come as a surprise. The district data projected and shared at our Nov. 5 board meeting is pretty close to what would be our reality if the governor’s budget proposal were to become law. However, the state budget development is in its early stages and will likely change over the course of the legislative session. We will continue to update our budget projections as things shift at the state level. Monthly budget updates are discussed and made available at our school board meetings.

  Additionally, the school board has decided to reconvene a financial advisory committee in January to help advise the board on where we can be more financially prudent and where we might find additional efficiencies. This practice proved very helpful last year.

  High school schedule

  With the help of an outside expert, the school board has instructed Superintendent Schlachter to evaluate the high school schedule for suggestions on how to be more efficient and provide more options for our students. This process has begun and will involve input from teachers, parents, administrators and other interested community members.

  Advocating for Riverdale in Salem

  The majority of our school funding comes from the state, and decisions made during the Oregon legislative session can have a big impact on our district. As a result, the school board plans to advocate for our schools during the next legislative session in Salem. We’d like to welcome interested parents, who are willing to write letters or talk with their state legislators, to reach out to a school board member so we can coordinate our efforts. Given the budget proposal advanced by Gov. Kate Brown, it will again be necessary to inform legislators of the increase needed in the K-12 budget. Detailed information on the need will be shared during the legislative term for you to use if you choose to contact legislators.

  Have a great winter break

  We hope you find this information helpful. We will continue to provide updates periodically throughout the remainder of the school year. Should you have any questions or concerns, please email Superintendent Schlachter or any board member. We welcome your feedback. We also invite you to attend our board meetings. Board emails and meeting dates can be found at www.riverdaleschool.com/board.

  Have a great winter break and happy holidays!

  The Riverdale School Board

  Michelle Janke, Chair
  John Bogaty, Vice Chair
  Mike Gunter
  Joe Prats
  Paul Spellman

  Comments (0)

2018-19: Achievement, changes, priorities and support

Posted by Riverdale School Board on 9/12/2018

Dear Riverdale Community, 

Your entire school board would like to welcome you to the 2018-19 school year. We loved seeing the students return to our schools with (mostly) eager faces, ready to start the year with a few freshly sharpened pencils and backpacks stuffed with supplies. A few days earlier, we had the chance to welcome our outstanding teachers and staff back to the new school year with a convocation barbeque. It was exciting to reconnect with familiar faces, as well as meet our many new teachers and staff members. We’re looking forward to a great year ahead, focused on excellence for Riverdale’s students. 

Celebrating district achievements

We’re delighted to share some of the recent recognition for our school district: Niche rankings once again named Riverdale as the No. 1 District with the Best Teachers in Oregon and the No. 2 Best Public School District in Oregon. Additionally, with all the efforts we’ve been directing toward safety and security, we were pleased that Niche also ranked Riverdale the No. 6 Safest School District in Portland out of 32. See all Riverdale rankings. 

School board changes

There has been a change to the school board that we want to share. Director Nicole Grayson presented her resignation over the summer as she moved out of district, and we want to thank her for her incredible leadership and contributions to the Riverdale community. We were fortunate to receive five very strong applications from community members to fill the vacant seat, and we’re pleased to announce that the school board appointed Paul Spellman to serve out the Position 4 term through June 2019. Paul brings a depth of experience through his contributions to the Budget Committee, which he served as a member for two years and chaired this past year. Please join us in welcoming Paul to the school board. 

This year’s priorities

We’ve been working through the summer to prepare for some important initiatives this year. Below are some of the highlights and topics you’ll be hearing about throughout the year. We were delighted to welcome Jim Schlachter as interim superintendent in June, and he has been quick to jump right in on our most important priorities. As shared in his welcome letter to the community, we’ve worked together to identify five priorities that will guide us through this school year:

• Safety and security (hardware, protocols, training, policy, etc. – including effective and timely community communication and the new buzz-in entry system creating a secured single point of entry at each school)
• Strengthened relationships (school board, administration, teachers, staff, students, parents and community) 
• Academics and athletics (finding opportunities to enhance the quality of experiences both in and out of the classroom)
• Procedures and practices (needed systems work to meet expectations)
• Developing a strategic plan (a 5-year plan ended in 2017-18 and we must bring the Riverdale community together around a vision for the future. The strategic planning process will enable us to be prepared to meet the needs of our ever-changing students and community.)

As we begin the strategic planning process, working with Mike Dugas of Vision Creation Consulting, approximately 30 representatives of our community groups (PTC, Foundation, parents, students, staff) will be involved. During a board work study meeting on Dec. 10, the broader school community will have the chance to attend a presentation of the draft plan and participate in the debriefing. 

Relying on your support

As you know, the Riverdale School Foundation’s Annual Campaign will kick off later this fall. Contributions to the foundation are critical for maintaining current programs and making the Riverdale education possible – from small class sizes to exceptional learning experiences. In fact, this year’s $1.2 million foundation contribution to our general fund helped lessen the impact of necessary budget cuts. We encourage everyone to participate and give at the suggested level to cover the cost that Riverdale invests in our students’ education, as each donation makes a difference. 

Finally, we’d like to encourage everyone to attend school board meetings or reach out to Superintendent Schlachter or any board member with questions or concerns throughout the year. You can download the full-year board meeting calendar or find a list of upcoming board meetings with agendas and minutes on the school board webpage, www.riverdaleschool.com/board. We look forward to your feedback and any suggestions you have to improve the education we offer to our students. 

Sincerely,

The Riverdale School Board 

Michelle Janke, Chair

John Bogaty, Vice-Chair

Mike Gunter

Joe Prats

Paul Spellman

• Interim superintendent for 2018-19

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 5/15/2018

  Dear Riverdale Families, 

  The Riverdale School Board is pleased to announce that an interim superintendent has been named for the 2018-19 school year. Jim Schlachter, who retired last year after seven years as the superintendent at Gresham-Barlow School District, will take the helm at Riverdale beginning July 1. He will be supporting the district on a part-time schedule, which will be finalized over the next few weeks. 

  Prior to becoming Gresham-Barlow’s superintendent in 2010, Mr. Schlachter was the assistant superintendent, responsible for the district's various learning initiatives and overseeing its five middle schools and three high schools. During his lengthy educational career he served as a director of education, principal, assistant principal and science and math teacher at the middle and high school levels. He also taught as an adjunct professor at Concordia University-Portland. 

  Mr. Schlachter brings an incredible wealth of experience, leadership and knowledge to our district, from which we will all learn and grow. We look forward to welcoming him to the Riverdale community.

  We also want to thank our acting superintendent, Sam Breyer, who has been on loan to us from the Multnomah Education Service District since February. He will continue to help guide us through the remainder of the current school year and ease the transition for Mr. Schlachter. 

  Next year, the school board will also resume the search for a permanent superintendent for the 2019-20 school year. We will keep you informed throughout the search process. 

  Sincerely, 

  The Riverdale School Board

  Michelle Janke, Chair

  John Bogaty, Vice-Chair

  Nicole Grayson

  Mike Gunter

  Joe Prats

  Comments (0)

• Updates from the school board and key calendar dates

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 4/24/2018

  Dear Riverdale Community, 

  We hope you are enjoying the beautiful spring weather that is now upon us. It’s been nice to see our students so happy to be out playing in the sunshine during recess. On another happy note, we have continued good news to share regarding teacher contracts, plus some additional news. 

  Tentative contract agreement ratified

  We are pleased to share that both Riverdale Teachers Association and Riverdale School Board have now ratified the tentative four-year contract agreement. We are happy to come back together as a community, and we encourage continued support for our teachers.  

  Superintendent search update

  Unfortunately, the school board was unable to move forward with a candidate during the search process that both possessed the desired qualifications and was the right fit for our district’s needs moving forward. As a result, we have decided to open a search for an interim superintendent for the 2018-19 school year. We will share more details on this process in the weeks ahead. 

  Budget committee

  We are pleased to announce the appointment of two new budget committee members, Kirstin Fredrickson and Mark Higgins, as well as five alternates: Dustin Best, Jennie Chandra, Jeff Dominitz, Adrienne Hill and Jay Somera. The committee members will be responsible for approving the 2018-2019 budget, which will be presented by our acting superintendent, Sam Breyer, at the budget committee meeting on May 24. Public comment on the budget is scheduled for the May 31 committee meeting. We encourage all who are interested to attend. 

  Key calendar dates

  While the final academic year calendar is still being finalized, a few key dates were approved at last night’s board meeting: 

  • First days of school: Monday, Aug. 27 (1st-8th grades and returning 10th-12th grades), Friday, Aug. 24 (9th graders and all new high schools students in any grade) and Tuesday, Sept. 4 (preschool and kindergarten)
  • Thanksgiving break: 19-23, 2018
  • Winter break: 24, 2018-Jan. 4, 2019
  • Spring break: March 25-29, 2019
  • Last day of school: Thursday, June 6, 2019

   

  As always, we welcome your input and questions regarding these and any other topics. We encourage everyone to attend our monthly school board meetings – the next of which is at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 14, as well as our upcoming budget committee meetings.

   

  Sincerely, 

  The Riverdale School Board

  Michelle Janke, Chair

  John Bogaty, Vice-Chair

  Nicole Grayson

  Mike Gunter

  Joe Prats

  Comments (0)

• Teacher contract negotiations finds resolution

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 4/10/2018

  Dear Riverdale Community, 
  
  Through mediation, the Riverdale School District and Riverdale Teachers Association came to a tentative agreement on a four-year contract. Together we recognize this has been a challenging year. We ask for your support moving forward for the sake of all of our students. We have many wonderful things to celebrate in our district. Let's come together to focus on the positives with a growth mindset. In the words of our beloved teacher Debbie Gorenstein, "we can do hard things." 
  
  Sincerely, 
  
  Jeff Brown, Riverdale Teachers Association President 
  Michelle Janke, Riverdale School Board Chair

  Comments (0)

• An update on teacher contract negotiations

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 3/7/2018

  Dear Riverdale Community, 

  We were hoping to send joint mediation updates with the Riverdale Teachers Association regarding teacher contract negotiations. However, following mediation, false information was shared by the RTA before a joint update could be prepared; therefore, the school board is now offering the following summary for our community. 

  The Riverdale School Board team and Riverdale Teachers Association were in mediation for 11.5 hours yesterday, March 6, and have scheduled our next mediation session for 5 p.m. on April 9 at the Oregon Education Association headquarters.  

  The first mediation session began with a Q&A period about the district’s financial forecast. RTA acknowledged that the district is in a financial crisis, and that the projections for a deficit in both the 2017-18 and 2018-2019 school years seem reasonable. 

  The Board is committed to reaching resolution. The district team offered a 4-year proposal that increased wages each year of the agreement and keeps Riverdale teachers the highest compensated teachers in the Portland Metro area.   

  During the course of mediation, RTA reduced their demands by only .05 percent. The current difference between the RTA and district offers is approximately $365,000. RTA expects the district to find a way to increase revenues to mitigate the reductions required by the significant variance. 

  The school board plans to provide another update as soon as there is new information to share. We continue to remain hopeful that mediation efforts will lead to a responsible settlement and continue to look for creative, yet fiscally prudent ways to make this happen.

   

  Sincerely,

  The Riverdale School Board

  Michelle Janke, Chair

  John Bogaty, Vice Chair

  Nicole Grayson

  Mike Gunter

  Joe Prats

  Comments (0)

• Clarifying budget cuts and contract negotiations, plus superintendent news

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 2/27/2018

  Dear Riverdale Community, 

  We hope you all stayed safe and warm during last week’s snowy weather. With three snow day closures, we know you are wondering what this means for the school year. The board will be meeting to discuss this matter at its work study next week. 

  Now that we are all back in the swing of things, we’d like to introduce you to our acting superintendent, share where we are in the search for our next superintendent, provide clarification on budget cuts and update you on teacher contract negotiations. 

  Acting superintendent for Riverdale

  To assist with specific superintendent duties through the end of the school year, Riverdale has welcomed the Multnomah Education Service District superintendent, Sam Breyer, as our acting superintendent. ESDs provide various forms of support for the districts they serve, and it is common for districts to reach out in times of leadership transition. As such, we do not foresee additional expenses related to the level of service being provided. Prior to joining the MESD in 2016, Mr. Breyer served for four years as Centennial School District’s superintendent.

  Mr. Breyer will be splitting his time between the MESD and Riverdale, aided by our capable district office team, principals and school board members, all of whom continue to carry out their normal responsibilities while also assuming some additional tasks during this time. Please continue reaching out to the district office team with any questions or concerns. The district office phone number is 503-262-4840. 

  Superintendent search moves to next phase

  The search for Riverdale’s new superintendent for the 2018-19 school year continues in earnest. We are thankful to all the members of the screening committee for reviewing the applications received. The school board has been briefed on the committee's recommendations and has selected initial candidates to interview. Finalists should be chosen in March and there will be an opportunity for the community to meet the candidates as they tour the district and complete the final round of interviews. We will provide more details once the dates are determined. 

  Clarifying budget cuts

  Some members of our community have reached out to ask how Riverdale came to the need for budget reductions. In an effort to provide clarity, we offer an overview of the following contributing factors: 

  • State school funding has not kept up with the rising cost of running a school district – particularly Riverdale – especially after such a high cost increase in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) this year. The more than $300,000 increase has made our total PERS cost approximately $1.3 million annually.
  • Revenue has declined approximately $400,000 over the last two years due to a decrease in tuition-paying students. This happened when other districts unexpectedly chose to grant inter-district transfers more liberally than they had before. This resulted in a large number of students enrolled at Riverdale no longer paying tuition (down to approximately 60 tuition-paying students today from over 100 students two years ago).
  • We have added several staff positions over the past four years to provide an outstanding level of student academic support and keep class sizes as low as possible. As an example, you’ll remember that we went from three multi-age 1st-2nd grade classrooms to four single-graded classrooms, two for each grade level. 
  • We have a clearer picture of the district budget than what was adopted last June. Riverdale School District’s 2016-17 financials have now been audited and we are more than halfway through our fiscal year. We are operating with seven months of actual data and five months of projections left and, as we have shared before, we will have to make budget cuts to balance the budget next year.

   

  These factors have required Riverdale to spend down reserves (ending fund balance) in order to maintain the educational experience for our students. Unfortunately, as the chart below shows, reserves are at a critically low level and this is no longer a sustainable practice.

   

   

  As a result, in addition to cuts already identified this year, we are still looking at the projected need to cut approximately $750,000 from next year’s budget. This number is significant enough that the board will have to carefully consider several options including the number of school days and staff reductions. 

  Update on teacher contract negotiations

  As we reported in our last board letter, we will be entering the next stage of teacher contract negotiations through mediation sessions. While we had to postpone the initial Feb. 20 mediation session due to inclement weather, we were able to reschedule for the first week in March. 

  The school board continues to be concerned that any settlement above what has already been assumed will increase the total amount of cost cuts required. Therefore, we remain hopeful that mediation efforts will lead to a responsible settlement. Every dollar counts as we work hard to minimize the impact to classrooms and programs. 

  As always, we welcome your input and questions regarding these and any other topics. We encourage everyone to attend our monthly school board meetings, the next of which is at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 19. 

  Sincerely,

  The Riverdale School Board 

  Michelle Janke, Chair

  John Bogaty, Vice-Chair

  Nicole Grayson

  Mike Gunter

  Joe Prats

  Comments (0)

• Making progress in the new year

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 1/25/2018

  Dear Riverdale Community, 

  Happy New Year! We’re excited to see everyone back at school, and we have enjoyed hearing positive reports from both principals about the work being done by teachers and students. On a daily basis, our students inspire and unify us in common purpose – to help them learn passionately and use their minds well. 

  Thank you to everyone who reached out to us after our November letter. We were encouraged by the feedback and support for the information we shared with you at that time, and we have several updates about ongoing efforts we’d like to present now. 

  Ongoing negotiations with Riverdale Teachers Association 

  The Riverdale School Board and the Riverdale Teachers Association have continued to exchange contract proposals since this fall. The school board has presented four different offers to date. Because the two groups have yet to reach an agreement, RTA is working without a contract. However, efforts continue in an attempt to finalize the current round of negotiations using mediation assistance. The school board wishes to conclude with at least a three-year agreement in place, so that we can spend our time focusing on the education of Riverdale's students and not at the bargaining table. 

  A little background: Salary schedules are charts that outline teacher pay based on years of experience and education. Every district has its own schedule, negotiated with its teachers union (view Riverdale’s salary schedule). This schedule allows teachers to increase their salary in three ways:

  • Steps: For each additional year of work, a teacher moves another step on the schedule to a new pay level. Many districts, including Riverdale, have a finite number of steps on their schedules. Riverdale also includes a longevity step.
  • Columns: By earning additional graduate credits or advanced degrees, teachers can move into new columns of the salary schedule.
  • Base pay: When the base pay is raised (through additional negotiated salary schedule increases), that increase is applied to all teachers.

   

  In addition to the step and column increases our current teachers will receive, the school board’s current contract offer includes:

  • Year 1 (2017-18) – A 1.00% salary increase for all teachers
  • Year 2 (2018-19) – A 1.25% salary increase for all teachers
  • Year 3 (2019-20) – A 1.50% salary increase for all teachers

   

  The school board holds our teachers in very high regard. This is evidenced by the fact that our teachers are the most highly compensated group of teachers in the Portland Metro region and, most likely, in the State of Oregon (based on cursory review only – we have not analyzed the compensation structures for all 220 districts). This remains true with the current offer. 

  The district has been giving our teachers salary increases higher than Portland’s average Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation, since 2010, despite the fact that this has resulted in heavy levels of deficit spending since 2014 – a practice that can no longer continue. 

  The school board is eager to settle a responsible contract for our outstanding teachers. The first mediation session is scheduled for Feb. 20. We hope to provide updates jointly with the RTA after each mediation session. 

  The search for a new superintendent 

  Our superintendent search is in full swing. The vacancy notice and position summary have been posted since mid-December, and we are now assembling a screening committee including teachers, parents, administrators, classified staff, community members, and representatives of the Riverdale School Foundation, Parent Teacher Club and Riverdale School Board. As with our search five years ago, these individuals will review the applications and weigh in on which candidates should be interviewed. After we have identified our top-priority candidates, we will include a district tour and opportunity for the community to meet the candidates. Please look for more information to be shared in the coming months. 

  Cutting the budget

  Thank you to the Financial Advisory Committee members for their guidance and support this school year, helping identify areas for budget reductions. We appreciate the time and consideration these individuals gave to their work with the school board. 

  Following the committee’s recommendations:

  • The school board has directed the superintendent to identify and eliminate $220,000 of non-labor costs budgeted for this school year.
  • At the next board meeting, the school board will be voting to increase tuition for the 2018-19 school year – the first increase since the 2011-12 school year. The proposal would raise current rates $1,000 in each tier (kindergarten, 1st-4th grades, 5th-8th grades and 9th-12th grades). A notice will be sent to all tuition-paying families following Monday’s vote.
  • The school board is working toward the long-term goal of making the athletics program self-supporting. Currently the district underwrites approximately $180,000 in funding for our sports offerings.
  • The district will begin collecting a small surcharge on all credit card payments to offset the bank processing fees that have previously been absorbed. Look for a notice from the district letting you know when this will begin.

   

  Despite all of these efforts, we know that these reductions will not be enough. Therefore, we are looking to cut $750,000 from next year’s budget. The board and administrators are evaluating opportunities for other program reductions. This process will continue into the spring, and we plan to share as much as we are able in the coming months. 

  Please know that the school board and administrators are diligently working to make sure these necessary cuts have as little impact to the students as possible. The students are our top priority as we strive to keep Riverdale a strong, healthy and vibrant district now and for the future. 

  As always, we welcome your input and questions regarding these and any other topics. We encourage everyone to attend our monthly school board meetings, the next of which is at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29. 

  Sincerely,

  The Riverdale School Board 

  Michelle Janke, Chair

  John Bogaty, Vice Chair

  Nicole Grayson

  Michael Gunter

  Joe Prats

  Comments (0)

• We’re grateful for you

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 11/20/2017

  Dear Riverdale Community, 

  We hope you are all looking forward to a wonderful Thanksgiving, with good food and your loved ones by your side. There are so many reasons to give thanks at Riverdale. We’re grateful for strong leadership, the level of engagement exhibited by our students and teachers, the sense of community and the way our parents and neighbors step up for the school. Case in point, your gifts to the Riverdale School Foundation’s Annual Campaign are an investment in our schools, our children and our community, and for that we’re truly grateful. 

  The truth about state school funds

  It’s important to note that Dunthorpe’s property taxes do not give Riverdale an advantage when it comes to the amount of school funding received from the state. In fact, our state school funds are reduced by the amount of property taxes we receive, so that every school district in the state gets approximately the same funding per student. It has always been parent and community support during the Annual Campaign that has set our district apart.  

  A shortfall and budget cuts

  As we shared during our Town Hall meeting last month, we have been spending down our reserves over the last 4 years, a practice that can no longer continue. We’re facing a shortfall this year due to expenses beyond our control – in large part, PERS increases. To address that, we’ve convened a financial advisory committee, comprising parents, a teacher, and members of the School Board, Budget Committee and Foundation, to take a wide lens look at possible adjustments to our budget. We’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating, as the work entered into by this group is important. Please know we are carefully considering all options and being extremely thoughtful in our actions, which now include a board-initiated process to eliminate $220,000 of non-labor costs budgeted for this school year. Yet, it’s important to note that purchased services and supplies account for only 15 percent of our district budget. Next school year, we’re facing the need to cut 10 percent of our overall budget. 

  Teacher contract negotiations

  As most of you know, we are also in the process of negotiating a new contract with our teachers. It has come to our attention that a document is circulating that paints an erroneous picture about contract negotiations, and we’d like to clarify. Riverdale teachers are currently the highest paid teachers in the Portland Metro area. This is due to the fact that our district’s administration, school board and community value and respect our teachers’ contributions to our students and our schools. 

  It is Riverdale School Board’s intention to continue to pay our teachers the highest salaries and equivalent benefits when compared to teachers at neighboring school districts. And our current proposal to the Riverdale Teachers Association does just that. It maintains that our teachers will receive the highest salaries for both this school year and the next school year, with comparable benefits. While it’s true that the percentages offered for salary increases in the current negotiations may be lower than what other districts are currently offering, Riverdale teachers’ salaries are still higher than these other schools. 

  Counting on our community

  In light of this information, we’re counting on coming together as a community, now more than ever. Every donor and every donation to the Annual Campaign count, not just in the final tally but also in the knowledge that each family and neighbor played a part. You make a huge difference in preserving and maintaining our school district.  

  If you’ve already donated or pledged to the Annual Campaign, thank you. If you missed the campaign end date, you can still support our schools by making a contribution to the Foundation at any time. You can also opt to increase your previous donation or pledge. Please visit www.riverdalefoundation.org to show your continued support for our schools. Together, we can make a real difference and help our truly special district weather the storm. 

  Sincerely,

  The Riverdale School Board 

  Michelle Janke, Chair

  John Bogaty, Vice Chair

  Nicole Grayson

  Michael Gunter

  Joe Prats

  Comments (0)

• Reasons to celebrate, a few challenges ahead and how to make your voice count

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 9/26/2017

  Dear Riverdale Community, 

  We would like to welcome you all back to school – parents, students and staff, including a special welcome back to Riverdale Grade School Principal Joanna Tobin, who returned from maternity leave in time to greet students on the first day of school. The 2017-18 school year is off to a wonderful start.  

  We are delighted to have so much to celebrate about our school district.  

  School Rankings

  According to consumer research site Niche – which rigorously analyzes data each year from the U.S. Department of Education along with test scores, college data and over 60 million K-12 school reviews and survey responses – Riverdale is the No. 1 District with the Best Teachers in Oregon and the No. 1 Best Place to Teach in Oregon. Riverdale was also ranked as the No. 1 Best Public Elementary School and No. 1 Best Public Middle School in the state, the No. 2 Best Public High School in Portland, and the No. 2 Best Public School District in Oregon.  

  State Testing

  Most of you have probably seen that Riverdale is a notable exception when it comes to state test scores this year – seeing significant increases in reading and math scores while most other Oregon schools appear to be losing ground. In fact, test scores show Riverdale Grade School is the No. 1 elementary school in the state for strong readers. We must commend all the work that went into these achievements, by our teachers and administrators. 

  In a recent article, The Oregonian shared that “Riverdale educators are rightfully proud that their scores rose significantly this year and topped Oregon's charts.” And while the test scores are certainly impressive, we can assure you that Riverdale is not resting on its laurels. The focus remains on continued growth. 

  Along with all the reasons we have to celebrate, our school district still has a few challenges to address in the year ahead. 

  Examining a budget shortfall

  Budget pressures have amplified due to the significant impact of increased PERS costs, as well as the need for additional teacher support in the classroom. For the 2017-18 year, we are absorbing a $345,912 increase to our yearly PERS contribution, a figure expected to rise in future years. These factors are affecting district expenditures and creating an ongoing budget shortfall, as operating expenses exceed anticipated revenue. Using reserve funds to finance ongoing daily operation costs is not sustainable long term. To address this, the school board has initiated a Financial Advisory Committee to review the current budget and expenditures and make recommendations for adjustments to close the gap. 

  Our schools are filling up

  Our community is growing, with many young families moving into the district to be part of our great schools and community. As a public school, we must maintain room for all resident students. Based on current and forecasted enrollment numbers and much thoughtful deliberation, we made the decision this year to limit the grades in which we will accept non-resident enrollment requests to kindergarten, 9th and 10th grades. Additionally, after examining state laws and other schools’ policies, we adopted policy changes that clarify the options for residents who move out of the district and wish to remain in Riverdale schools [see code JECF].

  We received a great deal of community feedback on proposed policy changes relating to minimum attendance and discipline standards for the preservation of non-resident student status. After carefully considering these remarks (presented via email and public comments at last night’s board meeting), we decided to delay our vote until we could research further and discuss other possibilities. We want to thank the parents who took time to email us and attend the board meeting, sharing their questions and perspectives.

  There are also opportunities to look forward and envision Riverdale’s future. 

  New leadership and strategic plan

  After five years of leadership, Superintendent Terry Brandon will retire at the end of this school year. As he stated in his retirement announcement, there has been much progress during this time and we can be proud of the strides made in uniting the community and unifying our schools around a common educational goal. The board is now tasked with beginning the search for a new superintendent who will build upon this strong foundation. We will follow a process similar to the last search, including many opportunities this fall for community and staff input through discussions, focus groups and surveys. The search, led by the same consulting firm used for our previous superintendent search, will take us through the winter, with interviews expected in early spring. We then plan to initiate a strategic planning and visioning process during our next superintendent’s first year (2018-19), which will shape our district’s next five years. 

  Throughout the year, expect more communication from your school board and opportunities for you to speak up and have your voice count. 

  Two community Town Halls

  We will host two Town Halls this year for our entire community. Both will be informational and interactive evenings of community, conversation and questions. Please plan to join the dialogue at each event – your involvement is key to Riverdale’s continued success. 

  Town Hall #1: The Heart of Riverdale
  7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3, Riverdale Grade School Commons

  We’ll get straight to the heart of how Riverdale operates and how to get the most out of your experience with representatives from the School Board, District, Foundation and Parent Teacher Club. Then, we’ll encourage you to chime in to keep the discussion going. See what to expect. 

  Town Hall #2: Riverdale Looking Forward
  April 2018, Riverdale High School 

  A series of board letters

  To keep you informed, the board plans to send four more letters throughout the year, addressing a variety of important topics – supporting our schools, the superintendent search, curriculum and learning, budgeting, plans for the future and more. Look for these in November, January, March and May.

  As always, we encourage you to attend school board meetings or reach out to board members with your questions. See you at the Town Hall… 

  Sincerely,

  The Riverdale School Board

  Michelle Janke, Board Chair
  John Bogaty, Vice Chair
  Nicole Grayson
  Mike Gunter
  Joe Prats

  Comments (0)

• Winding down and the complexities of budgeting for next year

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 4/24/2017

  Dear Riverdale Community, 

  We hope you all had a wonderful Spring Break and are enjoying the first few weeks of spring (with even a little sunshine here and there!). 

  As we wind down the 2016-17 school year, we wanted to take time to reach out to the Riverdale school community. In spite of this year’s excessive snow, it has proven to be another impressive year for our school community:

  • Our Parent Teacher Club has made great strides in strengthening school traditions and bringing forth new ones.
  • The Riverdale School Foundation increased both the funds raised and participation rates during this year’s Annual Campaign.
  • Our schools have realigned and reinforced curriculum, from reading to science and math.
  • Both schools have also put forth great effort and focus on the 10 Common Principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools, the backbone of our district – particularly surrounding the principle of democracy and equity.

   

  However, there are still several items on the short-term horizon as we conclude the school year. For starters, budget season is almost here! Every school district in Oregon must adopt a balanced budget for the next school year by June 30 (our fiscal year starts July 1). 

  The budgeting process must follow these steps:

  • First, the Budget Committee is convened. By law, the Budget Committee must consist of at least the same number of members from the community as there are School Board Members (in our case, five). Budget Committee Members are appointed to a three-year term, and Will Forney, Michelle de Geest, Keith Bailey, Peter Francis and Paul Spellman will all be returning. That means we also have openings for two Budget Committee Alternates (non-voting members who attend all meetings and may be asked to vote in place of an absent committee member).
  • Once the Budget Committee is convened, Superintendent Terry Brandon is required to present a balanced proposed budget. This meeting will happen at 6 p.m. on May 17, and is open to everyone.
  • The Budget Committee will then review the budget, ask questions, and make recommendations for changes during follow up meetings on May 31 and June 5 (the last one only if needed).
  • Once the budget reaches its final state, the Budget Committee votes on whether to approve the budget, and send it to the School Board for adoption.
  • The School Board will vote on adopting the budget at the June 19 regular School Board meeting.

   

  All Budget Committee and School Board meetings are open to the public and, once the process gets underway, include opportunities for public comments. We welcome everyone to these meetings, and ask for input. 

  It is worth noting that this year’s budget discussions will be particularly complicated because of the legislative schedule in Salem. It is entirely possible that the Legislature will not establish a State School Fund (SSF) dollar amount for school districts to use until mid or late summer, which means we will not know a confirmed number to use as part of our 2017-18 fiscal year revenues. School districts must adopt a balanced budget no later than June 30, so this schedule makes it quite challenging for us to do this. If this situation materializes, we (and all the other school districts in the state) will use an estimated SSF dollar amount as a starting point for the budget. 

  We encourage everyone to contact your state representatives and ask them to focus on establishing a robust SSF number in a timely manner. 

  Our overall objective heading into the budget process is to hold steady, even with unclear signals from Salem. We are hopeful the Legislature will continue to examine school funding in the state, and how factors out of our immediate control, such as PERS, affect us. In the budget for the 2017-18 school year, our PERS contribution will increase by $409,807 to $1,317,113 (a 45 percent increase over this year). This affects every district in the state in a very real way. 

  This spring, the District and the Riverdale Teachers Association (RTA) will enter contract renewal discussions. These negotiations can be complex, but we appreciate the spirit with which the District and the RTA have held discussions recently, and we are confident it will be possible to emerge with an agreement that is fair and equitable to everyone. 

  Additionally, as many of you know, Principal Joanna Tobin is getting ready to welcome her baby girl in the very near future, and Athletic Director Rob Pridemore will be substituting for her as acting principal, to finish out the school year until she transitions back this fall. Mr. Pridemore will be aided by a group of interested and willing grade school staff (several of whom also have their administrative license) who will take on some specific duties. 

  The 2016-17 school year will be on the books soon! We hope everyone has had a great school year, and is looking forward to a nice summer. We appreciate your support, and are always available for questions and feedback.

   

  Best Regards,

  The Riverdale School Board

  Mike Gunter, Chair

  John Bogaty, Vice Chair

  Nicole Grayson

  Michelle Janke

  Joe Prats

  Comments (0)

• Every dollar, and every donor, counts in the foundation’s Annual Campaign

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 11/8/2016

  Dear Riverdale Families, 

  Each fall, the Riverdale School Foundation embarks on a big undertaking that is vital to our district – to raise the funds necessary for our schools to continue to provide the exceptional, enhanced education we’ve all come to know and expect. 

  The Riverdale School Foundation and the Riverdale School Board count on every family to participate in order to reach the $1.1 million goal. Your donations are truly an investment in our schools, our children and our community. We hope you know just how important every donation, and every donor, is to the overall success of the education we provide. 

  Parent and community contributions bridge the gap between state school funding and what it actually costs to provide an exceptional Riverdale education – a gap that can run as high as $6,000 per student. Or to think of it another way:

  • YOU fund approximately eight teachers each year, allowing the district to maintain small class sizes and personalized, experiential learning.
  • YOU ensure an integrated curriculum that includes dedicated teachers for art, music, technology, library and PE at the grade school.
  • YOU provide a wide range of electives at the high school to create well-rounded students.
  • YOU also fund the new full-time college counselor who is helping our students navigate the next phase of their education.

   

  We understand every family has different circumstances. What is important is that each contributes at a personally meaningful level. Riverdale’s success has always been based on our families’ willingness to give – of their time, their talent and their treasure. Your participation at any level adds up and makes a world of difference to Riverdale students. Plus, it shows our community that each enrolled family is personally invested in seeing our district succeed. 

  Thank you to all who have already donated or pledged to the campaign. And for those who still have it on your to do lists, we urge you to donate or pledge by the end of the campaign, which is Friday, Nov. 18. With everyone’s support we can reach the finish line. Remember, pledges do not need to be fulfilled until April 30, 2017. Please visit www.riverdalefoundation.org to show your support for our schools.

   

  Sincerely,

  The Riverdale School Board

  Michael Gunter, Chair

  John Bogaty, Vice Chair

  Nicole Grayson

  Michelle Janke

  Joe Prats

  Comments (0)

• Strategic Plan accomplishments

  Posted by Michael Gunter on 11/19/2015

  A message from your school board chair: 

  I have had the privilege and the pleasure of serving as a Riverdale School Board member for the last five years and as board chair for the last four. What I have seen our school leadership team and staff accomplish over the past three years is remarkable. 

  In 2012, we embarked on a process to develop a five-year Strategic Plan – bringing together district leadership, teachers, in- and out-of-district parents, students and community members to determine what was working and what needed improvement in the district. 

  We identified four Strategic Mandates:

  • Provide an outstanding, well-rounded education that engages our students
  • Assure a financially healthy and sustainable district
  • Attract, develop and retain an exceptional faculty, administration and staff
  • Foster a respectful, vibrant and welcoming community through collaborative, honest and professional relationships
  • Strategic Plans can be abstract things – nicely bound books that sit on a shelf gathering dust – but, we actually use ours to drive our priorities. We implemented the plan in the 2013-14 school year. It is a rolling plan that carries us through the 2017-18 school year. In a little more than two years, our team has reached enough of the goals and objectives that we intend to do an update in early 2016!

   

  Some highlights:

  • Our stable, solid and exceptional leadership team has fostered an open, collaborative and team-based atmosphere.
  • The district has implemented a staff evaluation and professional development process focused on instructional best practices and continued learning.
  • Our grade school team has worked diligently to align K-8th grade curriculum and create cross-currricular connections for students.
  • Teams of teachers from the grade school and high school regularly collaborate on critical school issues.
  • Both schools continue to integrate the key principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools.
  • In an era of financial volatility and underfunding from the state, we have worked to ensure financial stability and good stewardship for the district, and preserved or added to our programs even when it has been difficult to predict future revenues.
  • We have greater visibility and engagement in the education organizations and groups in the state.
  • Our students have continued to do exceptionally well by virtually every academic measure.
  • Our high school students are accepted at the colleges of their choice, including some very prestigious universities.

   

  But perhaps the most important change over the past three years is the feeling in our schools right now. There is a positive energy that is pervasive, and an unmistakable sense of progress.

  
  That feels like a lot of momentum to me!

  My wife and I have two boys at Riverdale. We came because of the “smallness” of the environment and how personal it felt. The more we researched the program, the more we liked it. We stay for the educational experience our boys receive – the teachers, the programs and also the support and engagement from the community. Even people that haven’t had children in the schools for years still come out to support our schools. 

  On behalf of the school board, thank you for your support. 

  Sincerely,

  Mike Gunter
  Riverdale School Board Chair

  Comments (0)

• Continued success and how you can help

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 10/6/2015

  Dear Riverdale Community,

  Welcome back!

  We hope everyone had a fantastic summer and a great start to the school year. Now the leaves are changing, the weather is cooling and it finally feels like fall is here. Fall is a busy time for school districts and a lot has already been happening. The year is off to a very smooth start thanks to our excellent leadership team – Terry Brandon, superintendent; Paula Robinson, high school principal; Joanna Tobin, grade school principal; and Rob Pridemore, athletic director. 

  We are also pleased to introduce to you our newest board member, Nicole Grayson. Nicole was elected to the board position when Kristen Kohnstamm retired after nine years of service. With three students at Riverdale, Nicole has been very involved with the grade school and high school over the years. She most recently served as high school PTC president. Please join us in welcoming her to the Riverdale School Board. 

  We are all excited about the changes we have seen over the past year and the plans unfolding for the year ahead. We hope you are, too. 

  Proud of our teachers and students

  Recently, the Smarter Balanced assessment results from last spring were announced. Though there has been some controversy surrounding the tests in the media, we found the new test structure to closely align with the learning structure at Riverdale. Rather than relying on multiple-choice questions to see how much students can memorize, the new format requires students to formulate their own answers and provide evidence for their claims. In our schools, students are also asked to demonstrate their deep understanding of subject matter through similar exhibition.  

  It was no surprise to us that Riverdale School District scored well above state averages at all levels. We are proud of the diligence our teachers have shown in preparing our students not just for the tests, but also for a life of intellectual curiosity and exploration. 

  Continued success…

  Both the high school and grade school are committed to staff development that builds upon the foundation of the Coalition of Essential Schools’ 10 Common Principles as a framework for shaping school culture. With an eye on continued improvement, administration and staff have prioritized the integration of the 16 Habits of Mind into the curriculum, which help students understand who they are as learners and workers, engage in self-reflection and self-advocacy, and encourage them to be persistent and resilient in the face of challenging work and learning. Strong Habits of Mind foster critical thinking and the ability to consider other viewpoints. 

  For instance, throughout the grade school, teachers have planned lessons that make cross-curricular connections,with the pacing of aligned standards overlapping in multiple content areas. Every two weeks, teachers focus on a new Habit of Mind in daily instruction using common language. We can already see this having a positive impact. Additionally, Riverdale’s K-8th goals this year include solidifying and aligning reading practices through the new Independent Reading Level Assessment Framework (IRLA), which clearly outlines skills needed for a child to progress through reading levels, as well as strengthening writing practices throughout the school. 

  The rigorous college-preparatory curriculum at Riverdale High School is guided by an emphasis on “depth over breadth,” critical thinking and demonstrations of mastery, and sets the stage for numerous achievements each year. Over the past three years the high school has had two National Merit Scholars, six National Merit Scholar Semifinalists and 12 commended scholars. Nearly 100 percent of Riverdale graduates go on to four-year colleges and universities across the nation and abroad. The Class of 2015 earned 300 acceptances to 153 different schools, including Yale, Stanford and Vanderbilt, plus offers of more than $6 million in merit- and need-based aid. 

  In order to receive a Riverdale High School diploma, students must complete eight courses above and beyond what the state requires. Honors options are offered in nearly all core classes and students are now able to acquire up to 53 college credits taught by Riverdale High School instructors on the high school campus, through Portland Community College, Portland State University and, most recently added, Western Oregon University. 

  Mark your calendar for the State of the District

  Please join us from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the Riverdale Grade School Commons for the State of the District. This is your opportunity to hear about the state of your community’s schools and find answers to your questions. Riverdale’s superintendent, principals and school board chair will discuss the district’s financial health, budget priorities, enrollment numbers and projections, academic accomplishments and initiatives, and more. Special guest speaker, Rep. Ann Lininger, will speak about what she’s seeing in the legislature and the challenges K-12 education might face in the coming years.  

  Riverdale sees bond savings

  Last spring, Riverdale was able to refinance a portion of the 2009 Grade School Construction Bonds, given the low interest rates available. This process not only resulted in savings for local taxpayers, it also had a positive impact on the district’s bond rating. Riverdale’s new AA rating is the highest rating for an Oregon school district. The interest rate on the bonds dropped from 4.45 percent to 1.84 percent. Riverdale residents will see the resulting savings of $313,833 in slightly lower tax rates over the next nine years – approximately 6.5 cents per $1,000 in taxes. 

  We need your support

  This fall represents an opportunity to continue two critical revenue streams for the Riverdale School District.Residents are asked to renew support for the Local Option Levy and all families who benefit from our schools are asked to contribute to the Riverdale School Foundation’s Annual Campaign. 

  The size of the gap between what the State School Fund is able to provide and the education we as a school community insist on delivering to our children is quite large.

  Riverdale is frequently recognized for its educational excellence at a time when the state is struggling to adequately fund education. This is because our parents and neighbors are committed to maintaining the high quality school experience for which we’re known, and demonstrate their commitment by prioritizing their personal resources toward education. This investment in our schools funds teachers, helps keep class sizes low, supports our exceptional curriculum and enrichment programs, and provides for maintenance and security – directly benefitting our children and our community. 

  On Nov. 3, there will be a special election to approve the continuation of the Local Option Levy. Ballots will be sent only to voters who are registered to vote at an address within the Riverdale School District boundaries. If you are not registered to vote at this address (perhaps you have recently moved here) you must register at your current address to cast your vote. We encourage you to register at oregonvotes.gov before the registration period closes on Oct. 13, and to cast your vote early – it is the only item on your ballot. 

  This five-year property tax levy has been supported and approved by district voters in 2000, 2005 and 2010, and will provide continued funding for the Riverdale School District. The tax rate has remained the same for the past 10 years, allowing inflation to erode the revenue we want to go to our children’s schools. The requested increase this year is nominal per property owner, and yet will bring to the district an estimated $690,000 in year one and up to an estimated $718,000 in year five, helping to offset insufficient funding from the state. We hope you see, as we do, how incredibly important it is to continue this levy. 

  The Riverdale School Foundation’s Annual Campaign begins on Oct. 5 and runs through Nov. 20. We are so grateful for the work the foundation undertakes each year to raise these crucial funds. All contributions or pledges made by the end of the campaign will count toward our goal and provide support for the 2016-17 budgeting process. 

  As always, we welcome your feedback. If you have any questions or issues, please contact any of your board members.

  Sincerely, 

  The Riverdale School Board 

  Michael Gunter, Chair

  Michelle Janke, Vice Chair

  John Bogaty

  Nicole Grayson

  Joe Prats

  Comments (0)

• Gratitude, Progress and the Riverdale Education

  Posted by Riverdale School Board on 11/19/2014

  Dear Riverdale Community,

  As we near Thanksgiving, we want to express our gratitude for the strong, consistent leadership we now have in place in our district, and for how far we’ve come over the past year. We are also thankful for all we have to look forward to over the next year. 

  In praise of strong leadership

  Strong district leadership has allowed the board to go back to its proper role of policy making and advising. Superintendent Terry Brandon, working with his cabinet – Paula Robinson, high school principal; Joanna Tobin, grade school principal; and Rob Pridemore, athletic director – meet weekly to identify and address any problem areas that arise and involve parents, teachers, community and the board in coming up with good solutions. In addition to our regular monthly board meetings, board leadership meets with the superintendent weekly and the full board has bimonthly working sessions with the superintendent and cabinet. We are happy with the progress made thus far and the changes taking place. The district has operated in a consistent environment over the past year and a half and communication is direct and transparent. 

  Supporting our strategic plan

  The Riverdale School District developed and the board adopted a Strategic Plan in the 2012-13 academic year. The Key Areas of Focus in the Strategic Plan represent the objectives the board established as the most important for our district, and also reflect the priorities of our community. These include leadership, financial stability, learning experience and curriculum, staff development and evaluation, communication and community. 

  The Board's main priority and focus continues to be ensuring the implementation of elements in the Strategic Plan, including: 

  • Stabilizing and/or introducing new curriculum to align with the principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools and Common Core State Standards (see “Making math fun,” progress in grade school math curriculum and intervention and “Prioritizing the CES principles”).
  • Implementing the district Technology Plan, including wireless infrastructure upgrades on both campuses, mounted projectors and sound, and the launch of ParentVUE (see “Riverdale’s latest technology boost”).
  • Improving the quality and clarity of communication for parents, community and prospects coming from the district (see Fall 2014 Riverdale Review and principal newsletters for the grade school and high school and revamped High School Open House packet.)

  We have also been pleased with recent acknowledgement of the progress made in the form of increases in the grade school’s OAKS test scores and Riverdale’s ranking as the No. 1 public school district in Oregon by ratings firm Niche. 

  The board is dedicated to guiding and supporting the district leadership team as they implement strategies that align with the key areas of focus.  

  Looking ahead

  Since legislation changed the way enrollment is handled at Riverdale, the district has stepped up and complied, to the letter of the law, with what can and cannot be done. Last year was the first year for a lottery enrollment process and this year things will be handled the same way. Communication efforts surrounding the new process have been fine tuned so that parents understand what to expect and the district is working hard to fill available spaces while maintaining the small class sizes we hold so dear. 

  Kudos to the entire high school and district team for organizing an exceptional High School Open House this weekend. It was a huge success – from the new format, well organized flow and beautiful handouts to the tremendous turnout. Early figures show approximately 150 families were in attendance, including the majority of our 8th grade class and many 7th grade families as well. 

  Our superintendent and the board are also keeping an eye on any further legislation that would negatively impact our district and working on committees and groups to look out for the best interest of students in our district. 

  Maintaining the “Riverdale education” through the annual campaign

  As we look toward the annual budgeting process in January, we are grateful to the Riverdale School Foundation for its dedication to raising the funds necessary to continue to provide the exceptional, enhanced education provided at Riverdale schools. Parent and community contributions fund approximately eight teachers each year, allowing the district to maintain small class sizes and personalized, experiential learning. 

  Your contributions are an investment in our schools, our children and our community, and we hope you know how important every donation is to the overall success of the education we provide. Thank you to all who have already donated or pledged to the campaign. The tally is now at 78 percent of the $1 million goal, and with everyone’s support we can reach that finish line. We trust that all the families who have it on their to do lists will do so by the end of the campaign, which is this Friday, Nov. 21. All contributions or pledges made by that date will count toward our goal and provide support for the 2015-16 budgeting process. Remember, pledges do not need to be fulfilled until April 30, 2015. Visit www.riverdalefoundation.org to show your support. 

  As always, we welcome your feedback. If you have any questions or issues, please contact any of your board members. 

  Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving. 

  Sincerely, 

  The Riverdale School Board

  Michael Gunter, Chair

  Michelle Janke, Vice Chair

  John Bogaty

  Kristen Kohnstamm

  Joe Prats

   

   

  Comments (0)