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Erin Green

Local Seniors Inspired at Annual Graduation Motivation!

By News

An inspiring gathering at the Ross Ragland Theater brought local high school seniors together on September 29 for Graduation Motivation, an exciting start to the school year focused on inspiring students to stay in school and graduate in June. Coordinated by the Herald and News and hosted by Klamath Promise under the leadership of Jessie McClung, this annual event invited seniors from Klamath Basin high schools, along with Butte Valley and Tulelake high schools, to hear messages of encouragement and begin planning for their futures.

Bringing together local educators, higher education representatives, military recruiters, community organizations, and business leaders, the event encouraged students to finish their senior year strong while considering post-graduation opportunities. Josephine Ness, executive director of admissions and advising at Oregon Tech, opened the event by describing senior year as a critical turning point and urging students to make decisions about their futures with intentionality. Technical Sergeant Marc Hawthorne from the Oregon Air National Guard at the 173rd Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field, alongside Oscar Herrera, Klamath Community College’s Director of Retention and Student Success, shared financial aid, education, and career opportunities available locally. Community leadership was also highlighted by Holly Stork, founder of the Do Good Gang, and David Stork, Chief Legal Officer for Lithia & Driveway, who challenged students to finish strong and remember to thank the guides who helped them along their journey.

Featured keynote speaker Jake French brought a deeply personal perspective to the event, sharing his story of resilience following a 2008 accident that left him quadriplegic. Challenging students to focus on what they can control, French encouraged seniors to build a strong “life resumé,” avoid self-limiting words like “can’t,” “won’t,” and “don’t,” and cultivate a problem-solving mindset focused on possibilities. Following the presentations, seniors received swag bags generously provided by event sponsors Oregon Tech, Oregon Air National Guard, Klamath Community College, Lithia & Driveway, and the Do Good Gang.

SOESD is proud to support this incredible work!

Click below to access news coverage and posts about this incredible event:

September 30, 2026
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Announcing Southern Oregon’s 2026-27 Regional Teacher of the Year!

By News

An all-school assembly at Talent Elementary School became a joyful surprise on September 25 when second-grade Two-Way Immersion teacher Linnaea Funk Morales was honored as one of Oregon’s 17 2026–27 Regional Teachers of the Year! Students, colleagues, Phoenix-Talent district leaders, Oregon Lottery representatives, SOESD’s Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, and members of the Blue Ribbon Panel gathered to celebrate her achievement.

Presented by the Oregon Department of Education in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the award recognizes exceptional teaching, leadership, commitment to equity, and community involvement. SOESD convened a panel of regional representatives to review applications and select this year’s regional honoree. Funk Morales received a $1,000 award and is a semifinalist for Oregon Teacher of the Year, which will be announced later this fall.

Funk Morales’ dedication to bilingual learners and her belief in the power of relationships stood out in her nomination. “She is a passionate advocate for bilingual learners and consistently centers students’ languages, identities, and lived experiences as essential assets in the classroom,” a colleague shared. In her own reflection, Funk Morales described strong relationships as the foundation of culture and learning. Through projects that connect students with community partners and give them a voice in their learning, she helps children build academic skills, empathy, responsibility, and a lasting sense of belonging.

Congratulations, Mrs. Morales!

Explore the media coverage and watch the video created by Phoenix-Talent below to hear students and colleagues share what makes her such a valued part of their school community.

September 28, 2026
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SOESD’s Agency Services Survey – Open May 4-15

By News
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, SOESD is conducting an Agency Services Survey in partnership with Studer Education. This survey is designed to help us better understand how we are serving our districts and partners, and how we can continue to improve. Your feedback plays an important role in shaping our work and ensuring we are providing the highest level of service across all departments.

Click here to access the survey.

It will be open from May 4–May 15 and focuses on five key areas of service:
  • Accessibility – Can you easily reach the support you need?
  • Accuracy – Are services and information provided correctly?
  • Attitude – Is your experience positive and supportive?
  • Operations – Do processes run efficiently and effectively?
  • Timeliness – Are responses and solutions delivered as promised?
You will be asked to select the departments or locations you’ve interacted with over the past 12 months and provide feedback in each of these areas.
To ensure confidentiality, Studer Education will manage data collection and provide results in aggregate form only.
We truly value your perspective and appreciate you taking a few moments to share your experience.
May 11, 2026
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Strengthening School Safety Through Reunification

By News

Southern Oregon Schools Practice Reunification

On April 21, 2026, Southern Oregon education and safety partners came together for a comprehensive Reunification Rehearsal as part of SOESD’s School Safety and Emergency Management Collaborative, an ongoing effort to strengthen coordinated emergency response across our region.

Led by the Advance Security Leadership team, the training brought together school district leadership, law enforcement, and School Resource Officers to review protocols and practice the critical process of safely reuniting students with their families during an emergency. At the core of this work are two foundational priorities: Safety and Accountability. Participants emphasized the importance of knowing who is present, who is not, and why, ensuring that every student is accounted for throughout an incident and safely reunited with their family.

The rehearsal walked participants through each step of the reunification process, from the initial emergency through communication, site setup, student arrival, and the structured release of students to authorized adults. Emphasis was placed on clear, compassionate communication with families, as well as coordinated engagement with media to support accurate information sharing while maintaining secure boundaries.

The Advance Security Leadership team also highlighted the importance of detailed logistical planning, including clearly defined staff roles such as parking coordination, check-in teams, and technical support. Participants were reminded that reunification is a perishable skill, requiring ongoing training and practice to ensure readiness when it matters most. As part of continued regional preparedness efforts, work is underway to develop a centralized reunification equipment and supply trailer, along with formal agreements for potential reunification sites. Current partner locations include the Jackson County Expo, Rogue X, and The Armory.

Following the exercise, an After Action Review captured key lessons learned, which will be shared at the upcoming regional security meeting on May 6. Additional districts—including Klamath Falls, Three Rivers, Grants Pass, and Phoenix-Talent—have expressed interest in participating in future trainings, continuing to expand this important work. Through collaboration, planning, and practice, our region is strengthening its ability to respond in times of crisis—ensuring the safety, accountability, and well-being of every student.

Media Coverage:

https://www.kdrv.com/video/southern-oregon-schools-practice-reunification/video_dd6989a3-aedb-5b96-845f-6f6763a9ba7d.html#google_vignette

Reunification practice at Expo tests school preparedness

May 1, 2026
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SOESD Celebrates Grand Opening of New District Office

By News

SOESD Celebrates Grand Opening of New District Office

The Southern Oregon Education Service District (SOESD) marked a meaningful milestone on Tuesday, April 14, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house for its new District Office in Phoenix.

The event welcomed staff, partners, and community members to explore the new space, which was thoughtfully designed to better support the needs of students, educators, and districts across the Rogue Valley. The evening began with live music from the South Medford High School Jazz Band, setting the tone for a celebration rooted in both resilience and possibility. The new facility replaces SOESD’s previous building lost in the 2020 Almeda Fire, making the moment especially significant for the organization and community.

In his remarks, Superintendent Mark Angle-Hobson reflected on the collective effort behind the project, sharing that the building represents not only the organization’s past, but a strong commitment to its future. The new space is designed to foster collaboration, expand student programming—including the STEPS Plus program—and enhance hands-on learning through the SO STEM Maker Space.

Staff highlighted the increased opportunities for connection, professional learning, and student support made possible by the new facility, including expanded classrooms, a sensory gym, and dedicated spaces for innovation and collaboration.

The event also honored the land on which SOESD serves, recognizing the ancestral homelands of the Shasta, Takelma, Latgawa, Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin-Paiute peoples.

Media Coverage:

https://ashland.news/soesd-opens-new-phoenix-district-office-after-almeda-fire-loss/https://www.soesd.k12.or.us/early-childhood-education/

SOESD ribbon cutting ceremony for new office building

April 16, 2026
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