Central School District 13J
Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday April 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Location
Henry Hill Educational Support Center
750 S. Fifth St., Independence, OR 97361
Hawk Hall
Directors Present
Andrea Van Heeswyk, Byron Shinkle, Marc Senyk, Melanie Landon-Hays, Susan Graham
Directors Absent
Irene Oliveros-Vega, Jann Jobe
Guests Present
Emily Mentzer, Jennifer Kubista, Orlando San Miguel Morales
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Flag Salute
D.
Adoption of the Agenda
II. Communication from the Floor
A.
Public Comments
III. Standing Reports
A.
Data report: Attendance, Discipline
Superintendent Kubista presented the data report for attendance and discipline.
Dr. Kubista talked about the discipline numbers -- level of suspensions or expulsions -- and the majority are happening at the secondary levels. She talked about the work staff are doing to improve the culture and climate at their buildings, with the emphasis of keeping students in school. Mr. San Miguel Morales noted that behavior at the high school has seemed particularly good with prom coming up.
The board discussed the decline in attendance, and the trends they are seeing nationwide at all levels.
IV. Consent Agenda
A.
Approval of Minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Irene Oliveros-Vega |
Absent
|
| Marc Senyk |
Aye
|
| Melanie Landon-Hays |
Aye
|
| Andrea Van Heeswyk |
Aye
|
| Jann Jobe |
Absent
|
| Byron Shinkle |
Abstain
|
| Susan Graham |
Aye
|
B.
Finance Report
C.
Personnel Report
D.
Policies for second reading
V. Business Agenda
A.
2026-27 School Year Calendar (and 2027-28 draft)
The board and superintendent discussed that the calendar may be adjusted. The superintendent also informed the board that the state may redefine instructional hours or days in future Legislative sessions.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Irene Oliveros-Vega |
Absent
|
| Andrea Van Heeswyk |
Aye
|
| Melanie Landon-Hays |
Aye
|
| Byron Shinkle |
Abstain
|
| Marc Senyk |
Aye
|
| Jann Jobe |
Absent
|
| Susan Graham |
Aye
|
B.
Budget Committee Appointments
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Byron Shinkle |
Abstain
|
| Irene Oliveros-Vega |
Absent
|
| Melanie Landon-Hays |
Aye
|
| Jann Jobe |
Absent
|
| Marc Senyk |
Aye
|
| Susan Graham |
Aye
|
| Andrea Van Heeswyk |
Aye
|
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Susan Graham |
Aye
|
| Marc Senyk |
Aye
|
| Jann Jobe |
Absent
|
| Byron Shinkle |
Abstain
|
| Andrea Van Heeswyk |
Aye
|
| Melanie Landon-Hays |
Aye
|
| Irene Oliveros-Vega |
Absent
|
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Irene Oliveros-Vega |
Absent
|
| Byron Shinkle |
Abstain
|
| Marc Senyk |
Aye
|
| Jann Jobe |
Absent
|
| Susan Graham |
Aye
|
| Melanie Landon-Hays |
Aye
|
| Andrea Van Heeswyk |
Aye
|
VI. Recess into Executive Session
A.
Executive Session - Closed to the public
The board took a brief recess at 7:17 p.m. before entering executive session at 7:22 p.m. under the provisions of ORS 192.660, open meeting law, to conduct deliberations with persons designated to carry on labor negotiations. Specific information discussed in executive session shall not be made public and shall remain undisclosed.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Board Comments
B.
Items for Action at Future Meetings
C.
Adjourn Meeting
The board recessed out of executive session at 7:51 p.m.
- April2026_PerformanceMetrics.pdf
- 2026_02_02_board_meeting_minutes.pdf
- BoardFinancial_04-2026.pdf
- Board Report - April 2026.xlsx - April 26.pdf
- ACB G1 Every Student Belongs revised.pdf
- GCAB G1 Personal Electronic Devices and Social Media Staff.docx.pdf
- 4.6.26 Board Meeting_ 26-27 Calendar and 27-28 Calendar - Draft #2 - Full Year Calendar.pdf
- 2026-27 FY Budget Committee LoI SUMMARY.pdf
Jillian Layton expressed concerns about the Independence Elementary School.
Ed Propst expressed concerns about the Talmadge Middle School band program.