District Seeking Applicants for Vacant School Board Position

Pendleton – Due to a recent vacancy, the Pendleton School District is seeking applicants for Position 3 on the Pendleton School Board; 3 years remain on this term. Applicants must be legally registered voters who currently reside and will have resided within the district boundaries for one year immediately before the appointment.

Please submit applications no later than October 30, 2024, to the Pendleton School District Office at 107 NW 10^th Street, or they may be emailed to Ronda Thornburg – Board Secretary

Application letters should include:

• Full Name
• Physical Residence Address
• Phone Number
• Email address, and…

Address the following:

1. Why you would like to serve on the School Board?
2. A list of prior involvement in district activities.
3. A description of your understanding of the role of an effective board member.

Should you have any questions, you may email Patrick Gregg, Board Chair.

September 27, 2024

PSD Families,
Monday, September 30th, is the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools. This day has become known as “Orange Shirt Day” along with the mantra “Every Child Matters.” This is a message that honors the lives of our Indigenous children who have been lost and symbolizes the importance of every child.

On Monday, September 30th, the Pendleton School District will recognize this day by encouraging our students and staff to wear the color orange as a sign of our support. The Pendleton School District is dedicated to honoring the interests and values of all children by creating school environments that help them feel valued, respected, and safe. Thank you for all you do to bless the lives of your children, our students. It takes the whole community to keep our kids safe, valued, and cared for.

Sincerely,
Kevin Headings – PSD Superintendent

Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the recipients of their Clean School Bus rebate program.  In Oregon, ten school districts will receive over $22.6 million, with the Pendleton School District and First Student receiving $4,165,000.  These rebate funds will be used to purchase 13 electric school buses and aid in the infrastructure required to run and maintain a fleet of electric school buses.

In 2023 the EPA announced the availability of at least $500 million for its 2023 Clean School Bus rebates.  Due to an overwhelming response from school districts across the nation, the EPA doubled the funding to nearly $1 billion.   The Pendleton School District partnered with First Student in applying for these funds.

This program exists to further improve air quality in and around schools, reduce greenhouse gas pollution, and help safely transport our students to and from school.

The selections announced provides funding to school districts in 47 states, along with several federally recognized Tribes. Prioritization was given to school districts in low-income, rural, and Tribal communities.

Matt Yoshioka, director of student transportation, said these buses will be owned and maintained by First Student Bus company and be used primarily for our bus routes which run within the Pendleton city limits.

“We’re grateful for our partnership with First Student and their willingness to be proactive in their approach to student transportation.  We look forward to seeing these new buses being added to the Pendleton fleet and hope to see more new and innovative ideas and opportunities happen for our district and students in the future” Yoshioka said.

The timeline for when these buses will be purchased and in use is not know at this time; it will take at least a year for the buses to arrive and for the needed infrastructure to be completed.