Sage Community School to close, effective immediately [UPDATED]
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CHILOQUIN, Ore. – Sage Community School’s Board of Directors held a public meeting on Friday evening January 31, 2020, to discuss results of recent mold testing and to find a path forward. Recently a staff member has become seriously ill and medical tests showed dangerous levels of mold toxins. Once the employee received these results she immediately let the board know and it was decided to temporarily close so that the buildings could be tested.
The results of those tests were negative and there was no danger to students and staff. However, the employee would need to be off work for many weeks. On Friday evening the Board worked with staff in an attempt to keep the school open with reduced staff, in the end though there was not a path forward that would allow Sage to maintain the teacher/student ratios to allow staff to educate Sage students. With that the Board of Directors had little choice but to close the school permanently.
For over twelve years Sage Community School has operated a public charter school in the Chiloquin area for grades K-8 and has had a tremendous positive impact on those students who have attended.
Unfortunately, in recent years the rising cost of PERS and other operating expenses, along with no legislative relief to align charter school funding with other public school funding, has left Sage with no ability to withstand any disruption.
We wish to thank the many members of staff that have served at Sage through the years for the dedication and sacrifice they have made to improve education for students in the Chiloquin area. We also want to thank the parents and students who have supported Sage through many years.
Press release provided by the Sage Community School.
Statement from Klamath County School District
With the closure of Sage Community School, the Klamath County School District is planning a meeting for parents on Monday to provide options and answer questions.
Chiloquin Schools administrators will be working on plans for a smooth transition and staff will not be available to register students until Tuesday. The location and time of the parent meeting will be announced by noon on Monday on the district website –www.kcsd.k12.or.us.
Parents also will be notified through their One Call system.