Springfield, Ore. – At a school board work session on Monday, Aug. 24, the district announced that the high school Spanish dual immersion program will return for the upcoming school year. The decision follows intense public criticism after the program was cut last spring.
Funding and staffing make the comeback possible
Leftover funds from two state grants allowed administrators to rehire Saray Lopez Meraz, the former Spanish immersion teacher at Springfield High School, and to name Armando Garcia, assistant principal of Guy Lee Elementary, as the district’s new K‑12 dual immersion coordinator. Lopez Meraz expressed surprise and gratitude, noting the role parents played in advocating for the program.
“I’m definitely proud of my students, the ones who came to school board meetings and spoke up,” she said. “It was definitely nerve‑racking for a lot of them. I’m really, really grateful for all of the people who came out during those school board meetings.”
Program details and remaining gaps
Students in dual language immersion learn core subjects such as math and reading in both English and Spanish. In elementary grades, instruction is split evenly between the two languages. At the secondary level, Springfield students historically take two to three classes taught entirely in Spanish. While the high school program is back, middle‑school students will only receive a Spanish cultural heritage course rather than a full immersion experience for the 2026‑27 school year.
State grant pursuit and advisory committee
Equity and inclusion coordinator Taylor Madden explained that the district has applied for Oregon’s Pathways to Multilingualism Grant, a one‑year award of $50,000 intended to strengthen language immersion programs. If awarded, the money must be used for communication, outreach, or curriculum materials, not staff salaries. Madden said the grant could fund professional learning and expert consultation to rebuild institutional knowledge lost when early program staff departed.
Regardless of grant outcomes, the district plans to form an advisory committee that will include students, families, and community members. An initial meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Hamlin Middle School, 326 Centennial Blvd., Springfield. Spanish translation services and bilingual childcare will be provided.
Broader board priorities
Interim Superintendent Shawn Stover used the same board meeting to discuss the ongoing search for a permanent superintendent, recommending the hiring of a search firm similar to the one used for his interim appointment. The board also reviewed a draft policy on employee interactions with immigration enforcement agents, required by a new state law. The policy, based on guidance from the Oregon School Board Association, will be voted on at the Sept. 28 work session.
Potential use of district land
Board member Bob Brew raised the possibility of creating an advisory committee to evaluate the district’s more than 125 acres of undeveloped property as a solution to Springfield’s affordable‑housing shortage, which has contributed to declining enrollment. The committee would assess each parcel for retention, sale, development, partnership, or other appropriate uses.
The restoration of the high school Spanish dual immersion program reflects the district’s commitment to parental involvement, cultural education, and the constitutional right of families to choose a bilingual curriculum that supports their children’s future. The board’s next steps include finalizing the advisory committee, pursuing the state grant, and continuing the superintendent search.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
