Central School District 13J
Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday June 8, 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 (remote), Byron Shinkle, Irene Oliveros-Vega, Jann Jobe, Marc Senyk, Melanie Landon-Hays, Susan Graham
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
Emily Mentzer
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Flag Salute
D.
Adoption of the Agenda
II. Staff Retirements
A.
Honoring staff retiring after 20+ years
B.
Announcement of Student Representatives to the Board for 2026-27
Board Vice Chair Susan Graham said that she and Director Marc Senyk had the opportunity to interview the three candidates for student representative to the board. She said it was a difficult decision, but they would like to welcome Skyler Steeves and Aaron Villeneuve to join the board in September for the 2026-27 school year.
III. Communication from the Floor
A.
Public Comment period
Sebastian Escobar told the board that he appreciates Miss Stephanie, the mental health associate at IES.
Dana Goodale asked the board to fully fund the contract with Polk County for school-based mental health associates in each building.
Olive Doellinger addressed the phone policy at the high school, and suggested they should not be allowed on a students' person.
Britta Centoni asked the board to consider using MAC funding to support mental health associates.
Peytyn Cupp shared with the board that the school-based mental health associates were key in getting them through school.
Lauren Cooney asked the board if the push to decrease suspensions is hiding consistent behavior problems.
Aaron Villeneuve said that the school-based mental health associates are fundamental and valuable.
Valaria Salazar Garcia addressed the board about the proposed cuts to the mental health associates contract with Polk County.
Abby Durnin said cuts to the mental health associates would affect students in many ways.
Sarah Granum said cuts to mental health can be the difference between room clears and a mostly regulated student.
Adrienne Gault extended invitations to the board to attend CEA negotiations.
Skyler Steeves asked the board to reconsider cuts to the Polk County mental health contract.
Callie Burbank said an investment in mental health is an investment in attendance and learning.
Nathan Muti invited the attend CEA negotiations.
IV. Board Report
A.
Budget discussion
The board discussed proposed ways the district can cut funding to accommodate the contract with Polk County for school-based health centers.
Board members discussed how savings from a furlough day would affect all staff, and not mean more staff would lose their jobs from reductions in force.
V. Consent Agenda
A.
Approval of Minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Byron Shinkle |
Aye
|
| Andrea Van Heeswyk |
Aye
|
| Susan Graham |
Aye
|
| Melanie Landon-Hays |
Aye
|
| Irene Oliveros-Vega |
Aye
|
| Marc Senyk |
Aye
|
| Jann Jobe |
Aye
|
The minutes were approved as part of the consent agenda.
B.
Personnel Report
VI. Business Agenda
A.
2026-27 School Year Calendars
B.
Curriculum Adoption
C.
Out of State Field Trip Request
D.
Out of State Field Trip request
E.
Out of State/Overnight Field Trip Request
VII. Standing Reports
A.
Data report: Attendance, Discipline, and ELPA
Dr. Kubista and Director of Curriculum Amy Jackson presented the updated data on attendance, discipline, and ELPA (English Language Proficiency Assessments).
B.
Curriculum Adoption Update
Director Jackson presented an update on the curriculum adoption process for science, social science, and health.
VIII. Recess into Executive Session
A.
Executive Session - Closed to the public
The board recessed into executive session at 9:08 p.m. under the provision of ORS 192.660 to conduct deliberations with persons designated to carry on labor negotiations. (ORS 192.660 (2)(d)).
Specific information discussed in executive session shall not be made public and shall remain undisclosed.
The board recessed out of executive session and back to regular session at 10:13 p.m.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Board Comments
B.
Items for Action at Future Meetings
C.
Adjourn Meeting
- Attendance, Discipline, ELPA and Curriculum Adoption for the Board 25-26 - June Meeting.pdf
- DBDB D1 Fund Balance.pdf
- 2026_04_20_csd_13j_board_plc_minutes.pdf
- 2026_05_04_board_meeting_minutes.pdf
- 2026_04_06_board_meeting_minutes.pdf
- Board Reports June 2026.pdf
- 6.8.26_ 26-27 Calendar and Draft 27-28 Calendar - Full Year Calendar.pdf
- 26-27 Board Meeting Calendar - Full Year Calendar.pdf
- Central FFA field trip request.pdf
- Cheer travel itinerary.pdf
- La Cima field trip request.pdf
Superintendent Jennifer Kubista honored David Huhn.
Talmadge Middle School Principal Alisha Resseman honored Brad Simkins and Sophie Varquez.
Independence Elementary School Principal Nicole Smith honored Cindy Ritacco.
Dr. Kubista honored Jason Clark and Denise Chase.
Board Chair Byron Shinkle also honored student representatives to the board Hannah Smith and Orlando San Miguel Morales.