A Message from Superintendent, Dr. Jack Adams

Welcome to the new website for the North Santiam School District. As one of my goals for the 2009-10 school year I have been working with Keith Butler, the Director of Technology,along with a great team to get our new website up and running. The end result is what you are now viewing and I would like to thank all those involved in the process.

Each year in April, members of the District’s Management Team prepare goals for the upcoming year for their buildings and departments.  Buildings principals rely on assistance from their staff and Site Council in preparing these goals.  The Continuous Improvement Plan (eCIP) also is put together using these goals. Click here for a PDF copy of specific goals for 2009-10.

For those of you new to the District, it is located east of Salem along Highway 22, continuing into the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range, and covers about 100 square miles and includes the communities of Lyons, Mehama, Stayton, and Sublimity.  It is comprised of seven public schools, on five sites, that educate a student population of nearly 2,500 students. The District also supports three private schools in its boundaries with special education and special program services, transportation, building usage, playground usage, extra curricular activity participation and classroom curriculum and coursework.  Public schools within the North Santiam School District include: Mari-Linn Elementary School (K-8), Sublimity Elementary and Middle Schools (K-5 & 6-8), Stayton Elementary School (K-3), Stayton Intermediate and Middle Schools (4-5 & 6-8), and Stayton High School (9-12).  Private schools include: Regis High School (9-12), St. Mary’s School (Pre-8), and Stayton Christian School (Pre-8). To learn more about our facilities and our long range plans and goals, check out the Long Range Master Facilities Plan (LRMFP) brochure  .  An update to the LRMFP will be posted on the website in January under Departments>Maintenance>Long Range Master Facilities Plan.

All those who know me, have come to realize that I make decisions based on what is best for ALL kids in the District.  All community members need to be aware of how school funding is connected to Oregon State revenue and how it has and will continue to impact students in the North Santiam School District as well as across the State of Oregon.   My report each month to the Board is based on information that is given out to Superintendents across the State.  Since October of 2008, the District has lost over a million dollars worth of funding.  Figures change on a daily basis due to the continued loss of revenue to the State, and unemployment is now at an all time high.  I am very proud of all the staff at NSSD who have agreed to cut contract days (essentially reducing wages) and agreed to a freeze on their salaries and benefits for 2009-10 in an effort to save jobs and keep existing programs for kids through the end of 2009-10.  Concessions were given with the hope for improvement in State School Funding by the beginning of 2010-11.  You can review the latest PowerPoint presented to the Board of Directors on what is happening with State School Funding .

If you have questions, concerns, or would like to see something more on the website, feel free to contact my administrative assistant, Mary Richards, at 503-769-4928.  She can also give you information on board policies, processes and procedures and assist you with setting up an appointment to see me as needed.