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Amity School District 4J Regular Board Meeting Minutes, September 16, 2026

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Amity School District 4J, 503-B Oak Street, Amity, OR 97101. September 16, 2026, Wednesday. Regular Board Meeting, 6:00 PM. Live link located at: www.amity.k12.or.us > School Board. Status: DRAFT minutes.

Mission Statement#

The mission of Amity School District is: Provide an educational system that enables each of our community's students to reach their greatest potential for the lifelong benefit of each student and the betterment of our community and our country.

Regular Board Meeting#

I. Call to Order#

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

Board Members Present:

  • Amanda Grove, Board Chair
  • Jennifer Leppin, Vice Chair, absent
  • Ray Bottenberg
  • Tim Haarsma
  • Ryan Jones

Administrators Present:

  • Jeff Clark, Superintendent
  • Jessica Rojas, Elementary School Principal
  • Mary Matocha, Middle School Principal
  • Ryan Sticka,a High School Principal

District Staff Present:

  • Ann Adams, Board Secretary

Others Present: Jennifer Milldrum

II. Hearing of the People#

None

III. Reports#

A. Administrative Report (copies on file)#

Elementary School#
  • Currently working on the SIP-Three Year School Improvement Plan for Title I funding.
  • The assessment system has shifted to Star Renaissance for K-5 benchmark assessments, dyslexia screenings, and all internal measurements of student learning and growth.
  • Staff is working on an ELA Integration Plan. The ELA standards will be embedded into each subject (Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Science, and Math) and final board approval will be obtained before placing adopted materials into the classroom (no later than the 2028-2029 school year).
Middle School#
  • Also using Star Renaissance interim assessments to provide consistent information about student learning and growth throughout the year and use that information to identify strengths and area of need, adjust interventions, and monitor student progress. Particular attention will be given to improving mathematics achievement, including continued growth in the 8th-grade math.
  • Strengthening the approach to identifying and responding to individual student needs. Using STAR assessment data, Freckle (will replace IXL next year), classroom performance, and other measures of student learning, staff will provide targeted intervention and enrichment opportunities designed to meet students where they are and help them make meaningful academic growth.
  • The Middle School staff is revisiting expectations and raising the bar by helping students develop skills they need to become successful learners and community members. The focus will be on the eight Keys of Excellence framework, fostering a positive school culture, encouraging responsible decision-making, and preparing students for success in high school and beyond.
  • Staff will participate in professional development to assist in strengthening core instruction and collaborative practices.
High School#
  • Shout out to Logan Umbarger, Bobby Walker, and our amazing custodial cleaning crew for working extremely hard this summer. Surveillance cameras were added, felling trees, a wall removed from the band room and a wall was added in the Sped room
  • Booster Club organized an AHS Open House/Back to School night. We hope to do this next year.
  • Ryan is setting forth an expectation of Good Warrior Standing for all students. The goal is to reflect our commitment to support students in meeting high standards of achievement and overall success. Recognition occurs when a student demonstrates sufficient efforts and responsibility in three domains – academics, attendance, and conduct. Throughout the year, students may not participate in, or attend school sponsored activities when it has been determined that they are not in "Good Warrior Standing".
Special Education#
  • Overall, the year is off to a strong start.
  • The department continues to focus on maintaining compliance and IEP timelines, service delivery, documentation, and state and federal requirements.
  • Professional development has transitioned to Ukera training, providing staff with a trauma-informed approach to supporting students and responding to challenging behaviors.
  • Staff are working together to problem-solve and develop individualized supports for students.

B. CTE Report#

  • FFA had a successful fair season with members earning approximately $60,000 through their FFA market projects.
  • FFA leadership camp is scheduled for September 30 - Oct 1.
  • A primary goal for FFA this year is to connect students with meaningful, real-world experiences in agriculture. Planned opportunities include guest speakers, field trips, and participation in Career and Leadership Development Events in FFA.
  • Construction Trades is focusing on helping students who may lack direction or a clear understanding of their future pathways. These students can often disengage from school quickly, so the program is working to provide meaningful, hands-on experiences that help students identify interest, build confidence, and understand potential career pathways.
  • Team Oregon Build is continuing to move forward, with the state investing additional resources into the program. John Stearns has also been asked to provide professional development and training to other teachers involved in Team Oregon Build. He will work with schools and programs to help them implement and sustain the program successfully.
  • Savannah Stanton will be attending another course at Marc Adams School of Woodworking, focusing on two different advanced topics: Stereotomy & Tarsia Geometrica.
  • Savannah Stanton is working to expand science-focused laboratory activities across all woodshop courses. A key component will be developing cross-curricular lab opportunities between the science and woodshop programs, allowing students to connect conceptual understanding with hands-on application.
  • Senior Capstone students will have opportunities to visit and/or meet with companies throughout the Willamette Valley that align with the specialized topic units being covered in class. The experiences will help students connect classroom learning to real-world industries and potential career opportunities.

C. Maintenance Report#

  • The new walk-in freezer at the elementary school is up and running.
  • Replacement of damaged plants in the bond landscaping project is underway.
  • The move to the new district office is complete.

D. Superintendent Report#

  • Superintendent Clark discussed the facility upgrades and repairs completed at the elementary school during summer break. Work included painting the exterior of the building, repairing the sidewalk, removing trees, and re-landscaping the front of the building. A new outdoor freezer was also installed behind the kitchen to allow the school to receive frozen food orders more adequately and efficiently. Additionally, the parking area will be extended by converting the grassy area on the left side of the school, as viewed from the front, into additional parking. The district will purchase the gravel directly at an estimated cost of $7,000 and hire Warriors Construction to complete the work at an estimated cost of $4,000-$5,000.
  • The Amity Community Preschool will use the former district office for children 18 month - 36 months. The district will retain the electricity and utility accounts; otherwise, the facility would need to be rezoned. The preschool will be billed monthly for utilities.
  • Superintendent Clark will travel to Redmond October 25th to meet with other superintendents, including Salem Keizer, to discuss proposed changes to the state school fund formula and provisions that could be detrimental to small schools.
  • A couple of administrators and Superintendent Clark will attend the Wide Open Spaces in Sun River, October 11-13.
  • The district is in the process of obtaining an estimate for plans and construction of a restroom facility near the end of the track/softball area. Rich Parr will prepare an estimate for a cinderblock building with a concrete floor designed to allow the facility to be easily cleaned by spraying it with a sanitizer and hose it. The project will be brought before the Board to determine whether the district will need to solicit bids.
  • Agenda correction under New Business, B., b. should read: Sherman Street Parking.
  • The administrators are reading the book Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kid's Learning and How It Helps Them Thrive Again. The book examines the overreliance on educational technology, the importance of finding balance in its use, and ways technology can be used effectively to support student learning. It also addresses challenges schools have experienced with educational technology over the past 20 years.

IV. Business#

A. Old Business#

a) None

B. New Business#

a) Overnight Trips#
  • Fall Outdoor School – Oct 7th – 8th (Oregon Coast)
  • FFA Leadership Camp-Sep 30th – Oct 1st (Camp Tapawingo-Falls City, OR)

Motion by Tim Haarsma to approve the Fall Outdoor School and FFA Leadership Camp as presented, second by Ryan Jones. The vote was unanimous.

b) Sherman Street Parking#

Logan provided maps and walked the area; the quotes received as follows:

  • KL Industries – 3" Grade & Pave (red on map-on file) $24,433.50 plus gravel (not included)
  • All City Paving-$25,950 plus up to 100 tons of gravel. Additional customer requested mobilization will be invoiced each time at $1,475.
  • Signature Paving - $20,322.75 plus Warriors Construction's grading and rock/gravel (additional $5,000).

Motion by Ray Bottenberg to approve Signature Paving for the Sherman Street Parking, second by Tim Haarsma. The vote was unanimous.

c) 2025-2026 Integrated Program Annual Report Narrative: Tabled#
d) First Reading Board Policies#
  1. KNA – Immigration Enforcement on District Property (Required)
  2. KNA-AR1 – Interactions with Immigration Enforcement (Highly Recommended)
  3. KG – Community Use of School Facilities (Optional)
  4. KG-AR – Administrative Procedure and Fee Schedule (Optional)

Policies KNA and KNA-AR1 is an emergency adoption that needs to be decided tonight. There was a motion by Tim Haarsma to approve policies KNA and KNA-AR1 immediately, second by Ryan Jones. The vote was unanimous.

There was a motion by Ray Bottenberg to approve the first reading of Policies KG and KG-A, second by Ryan Jones. The vote was unanimous.

V. Consent Agenda#

A. Minutes from the August 5, 2026, Regular Board Meeting.#

B. Adoption of Board Policies#

  • a) GCBDD/GDBDD – Sick Time (Highly Recommended)
  • b) GCBD/GDBD – Sick Leave (Optional)
  • c) BC/BCA – Board Organization (Optional)

There was a motion by Ryan Jones to approve the consent agenda, second by Ray Bottenberg. The vote was unanimous.

VI. Adjourn#

Board Chair, adjourned the regular board meeting at 7:03 p.m.

[Signed: Amanda Grove, Board Chair] [Signed: Jeff Clark, Superintendent]

If you have a disability and require special accessibility, please inform Ann Adams at 503-835-2171 or email ann.adams@amity.k12.or.us. All meetings of the governing body of a public body shall be open to the public and all persons shall be permitted to attend in-person or virtually any meeting except as otherwise provided by ORS 192.610 to 192.690. Virtual access is available in this link: https://www.amity.k12.or.us/our-district/school-board-information