Dear KCSD families,

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year!

We are excited about the opportunities your students will have this year as we continue to invest in hands-on instruction and robust school experiences at all grade levels.

In our high schools and middle schools, our career and technical education (CTE) programs are aligned with Sky Lakes Medical Center, Klamath Community College, Oregon Tech, and others. This is providing many students extra motivation to be successful in their studies.

In our elementary schools, we will continue small-group instruction in reading and math as well as our project-based learning classes that provide an opportunity for students to explore subjects such as science, robotics, and art. After incorporating this model over the last two years, we are seeing success: Nearly 90% of last year’s kindergartners will enter first-grade this fall reading at grade level or above.

This year, we again will have social emotional specialists in every school. A focus will be dealing with and preventing bullying, harassment, and racism. Our SEL team will work with our teachers specifically to handle these issues, and we will teach our students the skills they need to do the same.

As we begin the school year, I also want to introduce our community to 11 new administrators -- some are new to our district, others are new to their positions – who will take the reins this fall.  Read about them HERE. Please welcome them to your communities.

Together, let's work to ensure every student grows every day. Here's to a great school year!

Sincerely,

Glen Szymoniak
Superintendent
Klamath County School District

As school districts around the state enter the budget season, many are struggling with decreasing enrollment and funding issues. Despite the state’s struggle to adequately fund public education, Klamath County School District remains vibrant and healthy, planning for increases in student enrollment and thinking ahead to future needs.

The Klamath County School District Board of Directors outlined its priorities for the development of this year's proposed budget during its February board meeting. Some of these priorities are continued focus on reducing class sizes, retaining pre-school and the Play 2 Learn programs, expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, ongoing facility upgrades at our outlying schools, continuing free meals for students, and maintaining our teacher mentoring program.

Our 2024-25 budget reflects those priorities. We do not anticipate any staffing cuts and plan to present a healthy, vibrant budget proposal to our 10-member KCSD Budget Committee at its first meeting May 2. That committee includes five appointed community members -- Diana Otero, Bill Jennings, Jacen Jespersen, Melonie Parrish, and Tonia Miller – and our five school board members.

The committee reviews the budget, takes public input, and votes to recommend a budget to the school board for approval. Before June 30, the Board takes public input, approves a budget, makes appropriations, declares the tax levy, and categorizes the tax levy. Adoption of the budget is expected at the June 20 board meeting.

We are proud of the work we have done over the past fiscal year. Our budget message highlights numerous accomplishments from 2023-24. Capital project highlights include a construction trades building at the Henley Complex, a new gymnasium at Bonanza, and the Lost River Community Center. Another spotlight is our continued expansion of Career and Technical Education programs. This expansion includes programs for our middle school and junior high students as well as new community partnerships with industry and pathways into pre-apprenticeship programs in construction and medical science.

As always, funding public education is challenging. Currently, Oregon's investment in K-12 education is 39th in the nation, a decline from its previous position at 34th. Our challenges include continued funding of PERS (Public Employee Retirement System), recruitment of highly qualified teachers and staff, keeping inflationary increases in line with revenue increases, and major cost increases for insurance.

If you are interested in following the budget process, please attend one of our budget meetings or go to our website - and click on the link to the 2024-25 proposed budget.

We appreciate your support. As always, please reach out with any suggestions or comments.

Sincerely,

Glen Szymoniak

Dear KCSD Community,

Our annual Crystal Apple Awards Gala highlights and honors eight teachers and staff members who exemplify our mission: "Inspiring today's students to meet tomorrow's challenges."

We encourage parents and community members to nominate a Klamath County School District employee for the award. A nominee can be a teacher, a counselor, a nurse or a classified employee who has been with the district for at least three years. Winners will receive their Crystal Apples during a gala Tuesday, April 23 at the Ross Ragland Theater.

Our award winners are chosen not only for inspiring students, co-workers, and their community, but also for having a track record of going above and beyond for students of all backgrounds and abilities. To nominate a staff member, fill out the online form (see "Nominate a Crystal Apple here" link below) by Sunday, Feb. 18.

Each year, we received hundreds of nominations for well-deserving teachers and employees -- an indication of just how positively our staff impacts students. As we consider our Crystal Apple nominees, I want to thank all KCSD employees for supporting students without fail every single day.

Dear KCSD families, 

As superintendent of the Klamath County School District, my focus for the year is on students, and I remain committed to ensuring the district provides what they need to succeed: quality education that is meaningful and valuable; safe, supportive, and engaging learning environments; updated technology and facilities; and programs that prepare them for postsecondary education, the workforce, and life.

In 2024:

KCSD will continue to be laser-focused on enhanced student learning, opportunities, and outcomes. Two of our approaches include small-group instruction and project-based learning for elementary students and enhancement and expansion of CTE (career and technical education) programs in our high schools and junior high schools.

CTE offers students experiential, hands-on learning in specific careers or trades. The district’s strategic plan aims to continually expand these programs by hiring additional CTE teachers, improving our facilities, and purchasing updated equipment and supplies.

Small-group instruction and project-based learning started in the 2022-23 school year and continues to expand through our elementary schools. Its focus is providing individualized reading and math instruction to improve student outcomes and performance. We are encouraged by increased test scores in math and reading, and the goal is to continue that growth and improvement at all schools and grade levels.

KCSD will expand access to career and technical programs and classes to junior high school students. This fall, the district opened a 3,700-square-foot Construction Trades Center at the Henley Complex that provides classroom and workshop space outfitted with the latest technology and equipment. We offer introductory and advanced courses for both high school and middle school students and a two-year pre-apprenticeship program in construction and carpentry.

In 2024, the pre-apprenticeship program in carpentry and construction will expand to Bonanza Junior/Senior High School and courses in construction and carpentry will be offered to both high school and junior high school students. Also, in 2024 the manufacturing program at Mazama is expanding to include courses for Brixner Junior High School students.

KCSD will complete several major construction projects that will provide improved safety and learning environments for students in our rural communities.

These projects include new high school gymnasiums at Bonanza and Chiloquin, the Lost River Community Center at Lost River Junior/Senior High School, a new fieldhouse at Henley High School, and the Crater Lake Learning Center, which will serve as a hub for professional development and alternative learning.

KCSD will expand and develop strong partnerships that support career-connected learning for students, and we will continue to be a supportive partner to our families and community.

I want to thank all the parents, staff members, teachers, and others who have provided input, offered partnerships, and surpassed expectations to ensure that youth throughout Klamath County have opportunities to thrive and grow.

We are proud to inspire today’s students to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Sincerely,

Glen Szymoniak

Klamath County School District Superintendent