Tom Klipfel will continue in the role of board chair and Erin McMullen as vice chair for the Philomath School Board in 2026-27. (Graphic by Philomath News)

Klipfel, McMullen to lead Philomath School Board for another year

The Philomath School Board voted unanimously Thursday night to keep its current leadership in place for another year with the reappointment of Tom Klipfel as chair and Erin McMullen as vice chair. The votes came during the board’s July 2 meeting in the Philomath High School Community Conference Room. Board…

Philomath represented on LBCC’s spring 2026 honor roll

Linn-Benton Community College released the names of students who made the honor roll for the completed spring term. The list includes 26 students that in LBCC records show Philomath as their hometown or address: To…

Numerous scholarships awarded this year to PHS graduates

The Philomath High School Class of 2026 walked across the stage at Clemens Field on June 6 and into whatever comes next — 122 graduates bound for colleges, trade programs, the workforce, military service, church missions and, for some, a…

Familiar face to serve as student representative on School Board

A Philomath High School student with recent experience presenting to the board has been appointed to serve as the district’s student representative for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Susan Halliday announced at the June 18 School Board meeting that Wyatt…

Philomath School Board approves budget with nearly $1 million in cuts 

The Philomath School Board approved the district’s 2026-27 budget during its regular meeting Thursday, adopting a spending plan that required cutting approximately $1 million amid growing financial pressures on Oregon school districts. The board voted 4-0 on two resolutions —…

Benton County student vaccination rates hit record low as exemptions climb

Benton County health officials are urging parents to review immunization data for their children’s schools after vaccination rates among students dropped to a new low and nonmedical exemptions reached a record high — a trend that mirrors what’s happening statewide.…

Philomath School Board to hold budget hearing Thursday

The Philomath School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting Thursday evening with an agenda that includes a public hearing on the 2026-27 fiscal year budget. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. June 18 at the Philomath…

Philomath Academy’s Class of 2026 marks graduation with 22 diplomas

Sixteen students participated in Wednesday evening’s graduation ceremony staged in the west lawn area near Philomath Academy, each carrying a story that took a different road to get there. For Nate Bennett, the journey included a rocky start to high…

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