Education beat: 2022 in review

Dec. 28—This was a year of transition for K-12 schools and institutions of higher learning in the Rogue Valley.

"Transition" speaks to masks no longer required in class; in-person instruction as the primary mode of learning; doing away with concealed firearms; and installing new leaders amid challenging times in post-secondary education.

Following are some of the major education stories of 2022 in the Rogue Valley:

Masks undone — Facial coverings that became synonymous with the COVID-19 pandemic were no longer required indoors once Gov. Kate Brown's executive order went into effect March 12. Some school districts — many of which had been fighting Brown for "local control" on the policy — chose to lift the requirement a bit earlier when they got the go-ahead from Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Education, and some left face coverings on a bit longer. School leaders celebrated the developments, saying it would lead to stronger learning outcomes in younger students. As the year went on, however, testing of various kinds confirmed students fell behind in many subject areas during the pandemic.

Oregon and Washington lift mask requirements today

Sight and sound: Teachers tout benefits of being mask-free in children's ability to learn to read

Work needed to improve student test scores: mailtribune.com/top-stories/2022/11/21/work-needed-to-improve-student-test-scores/

Omicron surge — Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, coronavirus reared its head in new directions, showing it was not finished despite the advent of vaccines and masking. Omicron, a more contagious subvariant, forced McLoughlin Middle School in Medford, Butte Falls Charter School and Ashland High School into virtual learning for anywhere from a few days to weeks in January. Even when in-person learning resumed, some school districts continued to experience staff shortages or teacher burnout, which led some school districts, like Medford, to give bonuses to educators or, in the case of Ashland, wellness days.

Some McLoughlin students forced into virtual learning

Butte Falls Charter School goes remote for one week

Ashland High School, JMOS announce some remote learning

Outdoor School renamed — Echoing parts of the country seeking to scrub clean a racist past, Ashland School District voted June 13 to rename John Muir Outdoor School. Muir, an environmentalist and co-founder of Sierra Club, had been associated with the outdoor school for years until a district-appointed committee recommended a change. After conducting a community survey, the committee recommended the name be changed to TRAILS Outdoor School (TRAILS being an acronym for Trust, Respect, Awareness, Interdependency, Leadership, Stewardship). TRAILS began the 2022-23 school year under its new name and eventually moved into a new building next to Ashland Middle School.

John Muir Outdoor School renamed TRAILS Outdoor School

Oakdale Middle School — Making Medford School District's third middle school a reality saw several notable developments this year. Much of the first quarter was marked by deciding a change in attendance zones, influencing whether families would send their children to Hedrick, McLoughlin or Oakdale middle schools beginning the 2023-24 school year. During the summer, construction crews found some historical items at the 815 S. Oakdale Ave. property belonging to students who used to inhabit the building in its other educational iterations. In the fall, future Oakdale administrators, parents, teachers and students came together to announce the school's new mascot: Ollie the Owl.

Ollie chosen as the name of Oakdale owl

Oakdale Middle School teams will be The Owls, boasting purple and black colors

Understanding Oakdale's boundary lines

'Important to get this right'

SOU new president/financial plan — Southern Oregon University saw a big change with the departure of President Linda Schott and appointment of Rick Bailey, hailing from Northern New Mexico College. In a few months' time, the man who turned around a small college would be faced with turning around SOU, announcing a strategic realignment plan at the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year. The plan calls on cuts to programs that must be approved by the Board of Trustees and fully realized by mid-2024. SOU's plan will also draw upon future moneymaking ideas, such as a business district and a senior living community. In September, Bailey was on hand at a press event where Lithia CEO Bryan DeBoer announced a $12 million donation to SOU, the largest gift in school history.

SOU rolls out new funding plan

SOU eyes senior living community on campus

Lithia pledges $12 million partnership with SOU

New RCC president — Randy Weber, executive vice president/chief student success and strategy officer at Johnson County Community College, was appointed July 1 by the RCC Board of Education to serve as the institution's president. Weber, who replaced Cathy Kemper-Pelle, promised to chart his own course for the community college with locations in Jackson and Josephine counties.

New RCC president: 'Lead by listening'

Rogue River school bond defeated — Rogue River School District had hoped to continue a bond program to fund critical infrastructure needs, but it wasn't meant to be. Voters of Rogue River and surrounding communities Nov. 8 soundly rejected the bond 57%-42%. Officials blamed the outcome on the harsh economy and community members placing too much trust in social media misinformation, among other reasons.

Rogue River school bond soundly defeated

Concealed carry firearms ban — A 2021 bill passed by the Oregon Legislature gave school boards the power to ban concealed firearms from district properties. A handful of school districts in the state made the concealed carry change, including Ashland, Portland and West Linn. Rogue Community College also banned concealed handguns on campus.

Concealed carry banned in Ashland schools

RCC bans concealed firearms on campus

Phoenix-Talent School Board studies concealed carry ban