Superintendent Kraig Sproles kicked off Bethel School District’s back‑to‑school rally on Sept. 1, gathering returning teachers, staff and newcomers at Willamette High School’s football stadium. He praised the district’s ability to retain talent after closing two schools, saying the district now stands “on the cusp of greatness.”
Key changes for the 2026‑27 school year
Students in Eugene School District 4J, Springfield Public Schools and Bethel will notice several shifts:
- School consolidations: Camas Ridge Community School and Family School will share the Camas Ridge building on East 29th Avenue. Most Shasta Middle School students and staff will move to Cascade Middle School, which will add two portable classrooms.
- Meal program adjustments: While each student will still receive one free breakfast and lunch daily, unlimited servings and scratch‑cooking are ending. Families needing assistance can apply for nutrition scholarships through the Eugene Education Foundation and Metro Rotary.
- New state testing requirements: Districts must now track eight growth goals through 2030 and administer interim math and reading tests three times a year.
- Leadership updates: Springfield’s interim superintendent Shawn Stover may become permanent, and several schools have new principals, including Jen Hebard at Buena Vista Spanish Immersion and Carlos Sequeira overseeing the co‑located Camas Ridge schools.
- Budget pressures: Declining enrollment, structural deficits, uncertain state funding and rising pension costs create a challenging fiscal outlook.
First‑day dates
4J will begin on Sept. 8 for kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades, with the rest of students starting Sept. 9. Springfield’s start dates are staggered across Sept. 9 and 10, while Bethel opens on Sept. 8 for younger grades and orientation, and Sept. 9 for high school students.
District officials emphasized the mission to “change lives” rather than merely produce outputs, urging families and community members to support schools during this transition.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
