November 5, 2026 Superintendent Report

Superintendent's Message

As we move into November, our focus remains on strengthening the systems, relationships, and learning opportunities that support student success. The first two months of school have provided opportunities to evaluate the implementation of our elementary reconfiguration, refine transportation services, strengthen instructional practices, and identify areas where additional attention is needed.

Our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan continues to guide this work. Through collaboration among staff, administrators, families, and community partners, we are moving from planning into implementation while remaining attentive to the financial and operational challenges facing public education.

1. Strategic Plan Implementation

Elementary Reconfiguration

Following the first six weeks of school, initial feedback from building leadership indicates that bringing grade-level teachers together has strengthened collaboration, instructional consistency, and the coordination of resources. Grade-level PLCs now provide more consistent opportunities for shared planning, problem-solving, and support from instructional leaders. Building leadership will continue to refine schedules, adjust transitions, and identify additional support needs to ensure ongoing success.
Verbal family feedback has included appreciation for the elementary shuttle and the age-appropriate playground environment. While there are encouraging early indicators, we recognize that reconfiguration is an ongoing implementation process. We will continue gathering feedback, monitoring student outcomes, and making adjustments to strengthen the experience for students and staff.

2. Teaching and Learning

Teach From Your Best Self

Following our August professional development with Jay Schroder, Teach From Your Best Self continues as an important component of our work to strengthen school culture and classroom relationships. Jay presented to staff again at our in-service day on Oct. 9th. We will continue ongoing professional learning opportunities based on staff feedback and have invited staff to book study groups. Next we plan to provide staff collaboration opportunities to reinforce these practices throughout the school year.

3. School Safety and Student Well-Being

Alignment: Goal 2 — Safe, Supported, Connected, & Present

School Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Recent events in Oregon have reinforced the importance of reviewing and strengthening our school safety practices. District leadership regularly works with building administrators, law enforcement, and staff to evaluate building access, visitor management, emergency procedures, and communication practices. This work is ongoing, and we continue to make improvements to campus security through fencing, access controls, visitor screening, and other safety investments. We are also reviewing recommendations from the Oregon Department of Education's school safety assessment resources to help prioritize future improvements within available resources.

Following the tragedy in Bend, staff at the middle school reached out to the Superintendent and shared concerns over the south wing of the building that lacked fencing. The next week the District, accompanied by a North Bend PD Detective, reviewed the area in question and has already begun work clearing brush and making plans to add in additional sections of fencing.

4. Transportation

Alignment: Goal 2

The transition to First Student has presented challenges, particularly with routing, communication, and student ride times. District staff continue working directly with First Student to resolve concerns, improve route reliability, and ensure families receive timely and accurate transportation information.

5. Operations and Facilities

Alignment: Goal 2; Goal 3 where improvements support learning environments

Facilities Improvements

Our facilities team continues addressing building maintenance, safety, and infrastructure needs across the District. Recent priorities include campus perimeter improvements, access controls, continued facility assessments, and planning for future maintenance needs. An update will be provided to the Board at the December meeting.

North Bay Seismic Rehabilitation

Planning and coordination continue for the state-supported seismic rehabilitation project at North Bay. This work represents an important investment in the long-term safety and resilience of our school facilities.

6. Financial Stewardship and Long-Term Planning

Alignment: Districtwide operational responsibility

Budget Development and Enrollment

The District continues monitoring enrollment, revenue projections, and expenditures as we prepare for the 2027–28 budget development process. Declining enrollment and changing state revenue projections remain important considerations as we work to preserve student programs, maintain responsible staffing levels, and protect the District's financial stability.

South Coast ESD Services

The District continues evaluating how educational services can be delivered most effectively and sustainably. Following the Board's direction regarding potential withdrawal from South Coast ESD's Local Service Plan, we are reviewing service continuity, staffing, costs, and implementation requirements to ensure that student needs remain central to future decisions.

At the latest Superintendent meeting in our region, discussion about the North Bend Opt-out was a primary focus. While some suggestions were made regarding ways to help address our concerns and maintain membership, while still allowing North Bend the same financial flexibility offered to another district in our region, South Coast ESD stated they were unwilling to make any changes to the Local Service Plan, aside from adding in a new, undefined, service charge for districts who have opted out and still want to purchase some of the services they can provide.

7. Staff Development and District Culture

Alignment: Goals 2 and 3

Principal Appreciation Month

October was National Principals Month, providing an opportunity to recognize the leadership of our building principals and assistant principals. Their work supporting students, staff, families, and daily school operations is essential to the success of our schools, and we appreciate the dedication they bring to their communities.

Staff Collaboration and Professional Growth
District leadership continues emphasizing professional collaboration, instructional alignment, and positive school culture. Through our leadership meetings, professional learning communities, and school-based professional development, we are working to create consistent expectations while still allowing staff to bring their individual strengths and creativity to the classroom.

8. Professional Baseball is coming to North Bend
The North Bend–Coos Bay Athletics, a minor-league affiliate of the Oakland Athletic’s, or most commonly known as the Oakland A's, are playing at North Bend Municipal Park (aka, Clyde Allen). Tickets are affordable, the team has plenty of promotions planned, and on Fan Appreciation Night, one lucky spectator will win an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii!

There's just one catch. The year is 1972.

From 1970 through 1972, North Bend was home to a professional baseball team affiliated with the Oakland Athletics. Despite winning their division in their inaugural season, the team struggled to attract fans. By the final home game in August 1972, when the Hawaii vacation was given away, just 291 spectators were in attendance.

The team left after the 1972 season, but the ballpark remained. Later known as Clyde Allen Field, the property was purchased by the North Bend School District in 1997 and has since benefited from numerous improvements. Today, it continues to serve Bulldog baseball and youth baseball programs throughout our community.

So, the next time you're watching a game at Clyde Allen Field, remember: you're sitting where professional baseball was once played—and where someone actually won a trip to Hawaii just for showing up.

9. OSAA 4A State Volleyball Championships
North Bend High School will host the OSAA 4A State Volleyball Championships on November 6–7, 2026, and has been selected to host the tournament for the next four years. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase our schools, facilities, and community while welcoming student-athletes, coaches, families, and spectators from across Oregon. Beyond the athletic competition, hosting the tournament provides an economic benefit to our community through increased business for local hotels, restaurants, and retailers. We appreciate the efforts of our athletic department, staff, volunteers, and community partners in bringing this statewide event to North Bend.

10. Looking Ahead

During November, our priorities include continued school safety planning, review of student perception survey results and next steps, monitoring transportation improvements, implementation of instructional and behavioral supports, and preparation for the upcoming budget cycle.

We will also continue evaluating long-term service delivery and facility needs while maintaining our focus on student learning and the District's Strategic Plan.

Every Student. Every Day. Every Way.

Navigating a successful course for every student, every day, every way
1913 MEADE STREET • NORTH BEND. OREGON 97459-3432
Phone: (541) 756-2521 • Fax: (541) 756-1313
Superintendent Tim Crider