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School Bond Information - May 2025
Dear Junction City Community, In May of 2024, voters chose not to approve the district's proposed general obligation bond. While we were disappointed by the outcome, it provided us with an opportunity to re-engage with our community, reassess the district's most critical facilities needs, and develop a more focused and cost-effective proposal. After conducting another review of the Long Range Facilities Assessment, surveying the community and with input from a Facilities Advisory Committee made up of dedicated local residents, we returned to the drawing board. Together, we crafted a revised proposal that addresses our district's most pressing issues at a reduced cost. The Junction City School Board approved this proposal at the regular board meeting on February 24, 2025, for placement on the May 2025 ballot. Below is an overview of the proposed May 2025 Bond: Local Control to Maximize Community Investment: A citizen oversight committee will monitor all bond project spending, ensuring transparency and accountability. We will also secure an additional $6 million through the OSCIM grant and focus on energy-saving initiatives that provide both immediate financial relief and long-term utility savings. Safety & Security Upgrades: We will remove hazardous materials, such as asbestos, and install modern safety systems, including updated fire alarms, security cameras, advanced locking systems, and secure entryways at all schools. These upgrades will provide a safer environment for our students and staff. Critical Facilities Upgrades: The bond will fund essential repairs, including fixing leaky roofs, replacing outdated pipes, upgrading HVAC and electrical systems, and addressing overcrowding. These improvements ensure that classrooms are warm, safe, dry, accessible, and conducive to modern learning. All Bond Information can be found at District Website , or by scanning this QR Code: If these needs remain unaddressed, the costs for repairs will only increase over time. This will force the district to continue reallocating funds from the classroom to cover growing maintenance expenses—an unsustainable approach that impacts the quality of education we can provide. We look forward to continuing this conversation with you and sharing how this proposal will meet the critical needs of our schools and community. Thank you for your ongoing support of Junction City students and schools. Troy Stoops Superintendent
Friday, Mar 14 2025
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Middle School Building Tours
Hello JC Parents and Community Members, This is a reminder that Junction City School District is providing building tours at Oaklea Middle School tonight, 6:00-7:00pm If you would like to see the conditions of our facilities, please join us tonight at 6:00p. Thank you Troy Stoops, Superintendent
Thursday, Feb 27 2025
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Calendar Change - Make Up Day
Dear JCSD Staff and Families, The School District Calendar has been adjusted to make up the school day missed on February 13, 2025 due to icy road conditions. On the original calendar the last day of school for students was Thursday, June 12th. The last student day will now be Friday, June 13, which will still be an early dismissal day. The last day for teachers will be Monday, June 16th. Several options for making up the student day were considered. Adding on a day at the end of the year is not ideal, but in this case we believe it is the best option. Please adjust your calendars accordingly. Updated Calendar Thank you Troy Stoops, Superintendent
Thursday, Feb 27 2025
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Rumor Control
Dear Junction Staff and Families, This message is to address rumors in the community regarding staff being arrested in a couple of our schools. This is an annual event called "Valo-grams", where our Junction City High School leadership student coordinate fun Valentine's Day activities to raise funds. This year due to school being closed on Thursday of last week, did the Valo-gram event today. Evidently, the mock arrests of staff have been seen by community members and misinterpreted as real arrests. This is a planned school activity, no actual arrests have been made. If you hear a rumor about JC Schools and want to get the facts, please don't hesitate to contact our schools directly, or contact me directly at tstoops@junctioncity.k12.or.us, 541-998-6311. We will be happy provide information about your concerns. Troy Stoops, Superintendent.
Tuesday, Feb 18 2025
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Stoops' Scoop January 30, 2025 Edition 24
INCLEMENT WEATHER REMINDERS Although the cold weather has been with us for some time, moisture is in the forecast. The combination of cold temperatures and precipitation can create hazardous and unpredictable road conditions. Our goal is always to get students to and from school safely. When the weather creates hazardous road conditions there is always the chance of school delaying start times, or even unexpected cancelations. As a reminder, when the weather causes slick roads we try to notify families by 6:00 am of any changes to bussing or school status. If roads are slick and we anticipate the conditions to improve quickly, we will usually delay the start of school by 2 hours. If no change is anticipated for the hazardous conditions, school will be cancelled. As you know, we don't always get it right. Most weather forecasters are often off the mark as well. Often times road conditions can vary greatly from one side of town to the other. We take all these things inconsideration when determining if road conditions are safe for transporting students. When possible we will notify parents the night before when conditions are inevitable. Families receive notices through ParentSquare (email, text and phone voice message), the District Website, Facebook and Flash Alert, which notified all major tv and radio stations. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We are JC! A community preparing EVERY student today for EVERY possible tomorrow. JOIN JCSD SUPERINTENDENT ON TOUR OF SCHOOLS Join Junction City School District Superintendent Troy Stoops on a series of school tours to highlight potential building improvements that a construction bond measure could fund. It is anticipated that in February, the Junction City School Board will consider referring a measure to voters for consideration on the May 20th ballot. Walking tours of each school building will show the state of existing district facilities, with time for questions following the tours. Thursday, February 6, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Laurel Elementary School, 1401 Laurel Street Tuesday, February 11, 5:30 and/or 7 p.m. (Teacher-Parent Assn. TPA) Meeting 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.) Territorial Elementary School, 92609 Territorial Road Wednesday, March 8, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Oaklea Middle School, 1515 Rose Street Wednesday, February 19, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Junction City High School, 1135 West Sixth Avenue These tours are an attempt to showcase the findings of the district’s facilities review process, showcase the most pressing needs, and share the projects being put on hold in light of last May’s bond failure. In addition, Superintendent Stoops will also highlight projects that have been completed or are underway utilizing grant dollars and private donations. All of Junction City’s schools have systems (like HVAC and roofing) at the end of their useful life, according to a report by Soderstrom Architects. Architects and engineers who completed the district’s facilities assessment report spotlighted known urgent facilities needs at all four of our school buildings. We are grateful for the school bond that Junction City voters approved in 2016. Now we have the opportunity to make additional needed investments without an increased tax rate from a new bond. SCHOOL ACCESS AND SAFETY Junction City Schools are committed to maintaining safety and security of our schools a top priority. One of our strategic goals is: Advance a culture where every student is known, connected, and belongs through community ownership, consistent communication, and inclusivity . We strive to keep every child safe. With the recent changes in Federal Administration we are receiving questions and concerns about how these developing changes will impact the students in JC Schools. We believe that we have District Policy and Procedures in place that provide clear protections for our staff and students. Below are links to District Policies and Procedures that provide these protections. Below is also a link to a resource provided from ODE on Immigrations Enforcement. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Superintendent Troy Stoops directly at 541-998-6311 or at tstoops@junctioncity.k12.or.us. Policy AC: Nondiscrimination Policy ACB: Every Student Belongs Policy JB: Equal Educational Opportunity Policy JOB: Personally Identifiable Information Policy KN/KN-AR Relations with Law Enforcement Agencies Policy KN-AR (2) Investigations Conducted on District Premises Oregon Public Education and Immigration Enforcement FAQ's ANNUAL JC PARENT & FAMILY SURVEY Below is the links to our Annual Parent and Family Surveys. Each year we use your feedback to make improvements and expand on things that you indicate we are doing well. Please take a moment to complete the survey and share your experiences, concerns and recommendations for the JC Schools. English Survey Spanish Survey JCHS FIELDHOUSES CONTINUE TO PROGRESS The Fieldhouses at Junction City High School continue to take shape. Both buildings have the roof systems installed thanks to our volunteers and Al Sheet Metal. We would also like to recognize and thank Equipment Share for their continued support of projects in the Junction City School District. If you would like to contribute or volunteer in this school/community partnership, please contact Bart Rothenberger, Athletic Director, brothernberger@junctioncity.k12.or.us. ANNUAL TIGER AUCTION IS SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8TH The Annual Tiger Auction is Saturday, February 8th. This annual event raises funds for our high school clubs, sports and activities. There are still tickets available. Don't miss out, this is one of the greatest events of the year. SELAH COUNSELING IS OPEN ALL SUMMER JCSD is providing office space in the East Wing of the high school campus to make mental health services more available to our community. Selah can bill private and Oregon Health Plan clients. Selah is open year round. You can get more information on their website at https://selahcounselingandwellness.com/, or click on the Selah image to the right. MESSAGE FROM THE JCSD SCHOOL BOARD January is School Board Recognition Month. At the regular board meeting on January 27, 2025, board members were presented with gifts, signs and lots of compliments from each of the schools, their students and staff. Superintendent Troy Stoops often comments about the commitment and unity of the JC School Board. "Our board is focused on what's best for kids" which is clearly outlined in the District Visioning Plan that includes Strategic Goals, a Vision Statement, a Mission Statement, and Foundational Values that all focus on our kids. Board agendas, minutes and meeting links can be found on our website at this link . The next Junction City School Board Regular Meeting is Monday, February 24, 2025 at 6:00pm in the Junction City District Office Board Room at 325 Maple St. Public is welcome to attend. You may also participate remotely at the link on our websit e. LICENSED & CLASSIFIED SUBSTITUTES NEEDED Junction City School District contracts with EduStaff for hiring licensed and classified substitutes. You can visit their website at the link above or call them directly at 877-974-6338. They will assist you with registering or answer any questions you might have. We are always in need of substitutes. When you sign up, you have the option of where you want to substitute and what days you are available. We encourage you to consider joining EduStaff and working in Junction City Schools. All applicants are now paid for all required trainings. OREGON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S INTEGRATED GUIDANCE PLANS The district's Integrated Guidance Plans are posted on our website. The Integrated Guidance includes district information for our High School Success Plan (formerly Measure 98), Student Investment Account, Continuous Improvement Plan, Early Indicator & Intervention Systems and Longitudinal Performance Growth Targets. This plan is presented to the Junction City School Board and opportunity for public input is provided. Troy Stoops, Superintendent 325 Maple St., Junction City, Oregon 97448 541-998-6311 tstoops@junctioncity.k12.or.us
Thursday, Jan 30 2025
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Carruth Compliance Consulting Incident
Cybersecurity incidents are becoming an unfortunate fact of life. This week we learned that Carruth Compliance Consulting, the third-party administrator of Junction City School District’s 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans, experienced a data security incident on December 21, 2024 (the “Carruth Incident” or “Incident”). The affected information at Carruth may include employees’ names, Social Security numbers, financial account information, driver’s license numbers, W-2 information, medical billing information (but not medical records) and tax filings. The Carruth Incident potentially affects all current and former Junction City School District employees dating back to 7/12/2016. Carruth reported that upon learning of the Incident, they began working with third-party specialists to investigate the activity, and then notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Carruth also engaged a sub-contractor to handle processing of information coming in from its clients. For the foreseeable future, no further retirement account transactions from Junction City School District employees will be processed by Carruth. Carruth is offering free credit monitoring and identity restoration services to all individuals who may have been affected by the Incident. To enroll in these services, call 877.720.7895. We have requested that Carruth directly notify each affected employee, but you can enroll in the services before receiving an “official” notification letter. We also encourage you to monitor your retirement accounts and consider obtaining a free credit report, and placing an initial or extended fraud alert and/or a credit freeze on your credit file at no cost. More about the Carruth Incident can be found on the Carruth website . We know receiving this information may be stressful. Please know we are working with Carruth, its insurers and others to understand the full scope of the incident, to ensure all affected employees will be directly notified, and to ensure Carruth is taking appropriate steps to mitigate the impact on our employees. JCSD Constangy Cyber Team Carruth Compliance Consulting Incident Summary Carruth Incident This week we learned that Carruth Compliance Consulting, the third-party administrator of Junction City School District’s 403(b) and 457(b) retirement savings plans, discovered suspicious activity on its computer systems on December 21, 2024 (the “Carruth Incident” or “Incident”). Carruth reported that an investigation revealed that sensitive employee data for Carruth’s clients, including Junction City School District, was affected. Carruth’s customers include many Oregon school districts, ESDs and other organizations. Carruth reported that upon learning of the Incident, they began working with third-party specialists to investigate the activity, and then notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Carruth also engaged a sub-contractor to handle processing of information coming in from its clients. For the foreseeable future, no further retirement account transactions from Junction City School District employees will be processed by Carruth. Frequently asked questions Was my information affected? It appears that the Carruth Incident may potentially affect all individuals who were employed by Junction City School District between 07/12/2016 and January 2025. We encourage all potentially affected current and former employees to take the steps outlined below to monitor and protect their personal information. What information was affected? Carruth reported that the affected information may include employees’ names, Social Security numbers, financial account information, driver’s license numbers, W-2 information, medical billing information (but not medical records) and tax filings. What is Junction City School District doing? We are working with Carruth and multiple other parties to understand the full scope of the Incident, to ensure all affected employees will be directly notified and provided appropriate remediation services, and to ensure Carruth is taking appropriate steps to mitigate the impact on our employees. We will update information about the incident as it becomes available. What should I do? Enroll in credit monitoring and identity restoration services. Carruth is offering free credit monitoring and identity restoration services through IDX, a firm that provides identity protection services to consumers affected by data security incidents. To enroll, please call IDX at 877.720.7895. Monitor your accounts. Regularly review your bank accounts, credit card statements, and other financial accounts for any suspicious activity. If you see anything unusual, report it to your financial institution immediately. Check your credit reports. You are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). Visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 877.322.8228 to order your free reports. Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file. Fraud alerts notify creditors to verify your identity before issuing new credit. You can place an initial fraud alert (lasting one year), or an extended fraud alert (lasting seven years), at no cost, if you believe you are a victim of identity theft. Consider placing a Credit freeze on your credit file. Credit freezes prevent credit bureaus from releasing your credit report without your explicit consent. This makes it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name. You can place a credit freeze on your credit file at no cost. Report any suspicious activity. If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, you should file a police report. You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission at www.identitytheft.gov or 877.ID.THEFT (877.438.4338). How do I place fraud alerts and credit freezes on my credit file? Place a fraud alert and/or a credit freeze on your credit file by contacting each of the three major credit reporting bureaus: o Equifax: 888-298-0045 or https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-reportservices/ o Experian: 888-397-3742 or https://www.experian.com/help/ o TransUnion: 800-916-8800 or https://www.transunion.com/credit-help Additional resources Federal Trade Commission: www.identitytheft.gov Oregon Attorney General: www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/id-theft-databreaches/identity-theft/  ;
Wednesday, Jan 22 2025
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Annual Families Giveaway
Junction City Staff and Families, This is the 25th Annual Giveaway - put on by local families/students to help local families. All are welcome to shop this Sunday 12-3:00 pm! Donations and set-up help are very much needed this Saturday 9-3:00 pm! This is a great opportunity for all of us to give a little of what we have to help others in a big way for the holidays. It's also a great way for students to earn community service hours. Questions? Call Jacque at 541-520-9931.
Wednesday, Dec 11 2024
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Annual Notice for Oregon’s Student Educational Equit...
2024-25 Annual Notice and Declining Participation Form for the SEED Survey English notice and participation form Spanish notice and participation form
Friday, Nov 01 2024
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Attendance Matters
Hello JC Families, With the 2024-2025 school year up and running, we would like to remind you of the importance of students attending school on a regular basis. Last week Governor Kotek signed an Attendance Awareness Month Proclamation , emphasizing the importance of kids attending school regularly. Below are some key points for getting your child to school everyday. Each student adds a unique presence to the learning community, and the learning journey is richer and deeper when classroom peers learn together. Students with regular attendance are much more likely to do well in school and beyond. 1. Attendance and Success: Good attendance is closely linked to doing well in school. When students are in school every day, they have more opportunities to learn and grow. On the flip side, if students are often absent, it's harder for them to stay on track. A. Elementary: Students who attend regularly in grades K-3 are more likely to read on grade level. B. Middle School: By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school. C. High School: By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores. 2. Absences Add Up: Every day of school counts towards your child's journey of growth and discovery. Chronic absence is defined as 18 days a year—or just 2 days a month – even if those absences are excused! Missing this much school in kindergarten can lower achievement in 1st grade and, for some students, through 5th grade. 3. Building Confidence: Being present when information is delivered is critical. When your child misses one day or one lesson, that means when they return to school, they may have missed something critical to their understanding of the next several days of instruction. Consistently attending school helps students stay on track and feel confident in their progress. When students are present and they're actively engaged in their learning journey, this boosts their motivation and eagerness to return to school each day. 4. Addressing Barriers: It's important to figure out what's keeping your child away from school and address it as soon as possible. Keep in mind complaints of a stomachache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home. Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with schoolwork, dealing with bullying or facing some other difficulty. Whether it's transportation issues, health problems, or something else, contact the school to support and help find solutions that can make a big difference in your child's attendance and success. Here is a link to Attendance & Absenteeism Resources on the ODE Website.
Wednesday, Sep 11 2024