Happy Summer Break, Everyone!

Although students are away for the summer, the work continues here at RRSD. In this update, I’d like to share a few highlights about what’s happening with our new buildings, our bond project work, and provide some context and insight into a recent controversy involving a student art show at the Junior/Senior High School.

Buildings:

• The new Early Learning and Wellness Center on Oak Street is entering its final stages of construction. Outlier Construction anticipates completing the project by early August, which will allow our partners at La Clinica and Head Start to begin moving in and preparing to serve students and families from our community.
• For more information on the student-based health center and how it can benefit your student, please visit https://laclinicahealth.org/services/school-based/ or contact La Clinica directly at (541)-535-6239. You may also use the QR Code below to access their site.
• For more information on preschool opportunities with Head Start, please visit https://www.socfc.org/ or contact Southern Oregon Head Start directly at (541)-734-5150. You may also use the QR Code below to access their site.

Bond Work:

• The new Junior High annex building is essentially complete. There is some detail work, landscaping, and fencing that are still in process, but the building is functional and ready to welcome our Junior High students this coming school year. The JSHS administration will communicate later this summer with information about an opening event to show the building off to community and families.
• The single point of access vestibules at the elementary school are also essentially done. We expect them to be functional and in use by the start of the coming school year. Please watch for information from the elementary school administration that will help explain the new processes for entering the school.
• Work on the single point of access vestibule for the JSHS is just beginning. I am so excited that we are able to over deliver on our bond promise to the community and provide this important safety upgrade to our JSHS. We are optimistic it will be ready for the start of the new school year.

Art Show:

There has been considerable public discussion regarding a piece of student art displayed during the JSHS art show held at the end of May. I want to provide a brief explanation of the reasoning behind my decision to allow the artwork to remain on display despite objections from some people.

When the nature of the artwork was brought to my attention, I recognized the complexity and sensitivity of the situation, particularly given the legal protections surrounding student expression. To be sure the District response was appropriate, I reviewed the artwork and sought legal counsel to better understand our responsibilities and options regarding the regulation of student work. Our attorney reviewed our board policy IB, the artwork, and the concerns that had been raised. Their guidance was clear: the artwork did not meet the legal threshold for school regulation or censorship. To remove it would not only lack a defensible legal basis, but it would also violate the student's First Amendment rights under established case law. Based on this guidance, I made the decision to allow the artwork to remain part of the show.

Some members of our community have been critical of this outcome, while others have expressed support. I recognize and respect both perspectives. This was not a matter of choosing sides or endorsing any particular viewpoint; rather, allowing the artwork to be displayed was the legally appropriate action under current guidelines that protect student expression. As District Superintendent, it is my responsibility to uphold the law to the best of my ability—even when the results may be difficult or disappointing for some.