As Philomath students head back to class this week, principals across the district say budget cuts and reduction-in-force decisions made earlier this year are shaping the 2026-27 school year in ways families may not immediately notice — but staff are feeling the effects directly.
None of the district’s schools had to lay off staff outright, but each absorbed cuts through attrition, retirements and reduced hours. Philomath High School didn’t replace several retiring staff members at full-time status, a change that, combined with an enrollment surge, will mean larger class sizes this year. Philomath Middle School has trimmed teaching staff and instructional assistants over the past couple of years and rebuilt its master schedule around the smaller team. Clemens Primary School lost three instructional staff positions and restructured how assistants are deployed, rotating them between classrooms during core learning blocks like literacy and math rather than assigning one to each room full time.
Philomath Elementary School reduced one instructional assistant position through retirement attrition and reworked its master calendar to preserve small-group reading and math instruction without cutting time for students with special needs. Blodgett Elementary School, the district’s small rural school also led by PES Principal Eric Beasley, saw no staffing changes this year. Philomath Academy, the district’s alternative school, saw its instructional team shrink from three classroom teachers to two, a change that also means the Academy will no longer serve middle school students and will operate as a 9-12 program this year.
Despite the cuts, principals across the district emphasized that staff are working to shield students from the impact as much as possible.
Students in grades 2, 6 and 9 — newcomers to elementary, middle and high school campuses — began classes on Monday morning. Students in all other grades except kindergarten and first grade begin Tuesday. Clemens Primary splits up its first day for students as Thursday for students with last names beginning A-K and Friday for L-Z. The first full day for CPS students is Sept. 8.
In school bus news, families will see a new face behind the wheel this year. The district’s school board approved a contract with First Student as its new transportation provider, replacing longtime bus operator Mid Columbia Bus Co. Bus schedules for the new school year are available on the district’s website.
For families walking or biking to school, crossing guards will be stationed at the following locations before and after school each day — 19th and Applegate, 16th and Applegate, 17th and Main, 19th and Cedar, and the mid-16th bypass crosswalk.
The district will again participate in the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision, meaning breakfast and lunch will be free for all Philomath students. The free meal covers a student’s first breakfast and lunch each day; students will be charged for seconds and those who only want milk without a meal will still need to pay for it.
The district will be using ParentSquare for school-to-home communication, a platform that will supplement and, in some cases, replace existing systems. Parents will be able to receive notifications by email, text or app, select a preferred language for automatic translation, and message teachers directly.
The district also reminded families that cellphones are not permitted during the school day. Parents needing to reach a student should call the school office.
Following are school-by-school updates from each principal on enrollment, staffing, new programs and what families can expect as the new year begins.
Philomath High School
Philomath High School Principal Mark Henderson said his focus heading into the 2026-27 school year is navigating the effects of budget cuts while continuing the school’s ongoing work answering the question, “What is a Warrior?”
Enrollment is running well ahead of projections. The school expected 434 students this year, but an influx of new enrollments in August pushed that number to somewhere between 460 and 470 students, Henderson said.
Despite the growth, families shouldn’t expect a wave of new programming. Henderson said PHS intentionally avoids chasing new initiatives each year.
“There are many schools that jump from one program to another hoping each new program will be the magic pill for student success,” he said. “We know what we do at PHS is working, and we are just always trying to improve what we currently do.”
Staffing changes are coming to the classroom. New teachers this year include Mike Hood in physical education, Antonio McNeil in special education and Tiffany Wallace in health and health occupations. New instructional assistants include Ari Kawai and Tiffany Cooper, with a third position still to be filled.
Budget constraints also forced a reduction at the administrative level, Henderson said. Hood will remain at PHS as a PE teacher and athletic director but will no longer carry administrative duties. Families won’t see any facility improvements or tech upgrades this year, Henderson said.
As students head back to class, Henderson said he wants parents to know their kids are in good hands.
“They are sending their children to a great school with a staff that really cares about them as human beings, not just students,” he said. “If there are any concerns, please reach out, as we want their child’s high school experience to be something that they look back on with great pride and affection.”
Philomath Academy
Philomath Academy Principal Garth Gerot said his focus heading into the 2026-27 school year is making sure every student feels known, valued and capable, particularly since many students arrive at the alternative school after the traditional classroom experience hasn’t worked for them.
“Our responsibility is not simply to offer them a different location; it is to create a genuinely different learning experience,” he said.
Enrollment is down from last year, following a large graduating class in June. The change also reflects a district budget reduction that shrank the school’s instructional team from three classroom teachers to two, Gerot said. With the smaller staff, Philomath Academy will serve grades 9-12 only this year, no longer supporting middle school students. Gerot noted enrollment at the Academy typically grows over the course of the year as students’ needs and circumstances change.
The school is shifting to a workshop model of instruction, moving away from students spending large amounts of time working independently on screens. Under the new approach, teachers open each class with a focused mini-lesson before students move into a mix of small-group work, hands-on activities, projects, discussion and independent practice, with class periods ending in reflection. Edmentum’s Courseware will remain a resource, Gerot said, but will function as one tool among several rather than the core of instruction.
The school is also introducing Living Student Portfolios this year, which students will use to gather evidence of their learning, track skills such as communication and problem-solving, and explore career and postsecondary pathways. Students will draw on the portfolios during quarterly presentations on their growth and next steps, Gerot said.
Staffing changes include the addition of Nate Goodson, a Philomath graduate, as the new math and science teacher, and Evangelina Steiling as a new part-time instructional assistant. Simon Babcock will join the teaching staff each afternoon, supporting the high school’s forestry program. Jennifer House will continue teaching English and social studies, with Gerot and Beth Edgemon covering electives and Terrence Sims continuing as special education case manager for part of the day.
There are no changes in building administration, and Gerot will continue as principal. No major facility renovations are planned, though the school will begin using ParentSquare this year to communicate with families.
Gerot said the Academy’s goal isn’t to lower expectations but to create the conditions for students to meet them in a smaller, more personalized setting.
“We want students to leave Philomath Academy with more than a diploma,” he said. “We want them to understand themselves as learners, recognize their strengths, advocate for what they need and move confidently toward employment, college, training or whatever comes next.”
Philomath Middle School
Philomath Middle School Principal Steve Bell said the school is starting the 2026-27 year with a sense of hope and excitement with a continued focus on building school spirit and getting students actively engaged in learning and activities.
Enrollment is up by 14 students this year, Bell said, with sixth grade the largest class at 131 students.
Attendance remains a top priority for the school, and staff will also take part in professional learning called the Science of Writing, Bell said.
Staffing changes are minimal this year. Nicole Bruce joins the school as its new Healthy Tech teacher for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students, and there are no changes among the administrative staff.
Families will notice one facility upgrade tied to an unusual incident. The school and a nearby tree were struck by lightning before the start of last school year, and while the initial damage was repaired, the incident led to an overall upgrade to a new fire alarm system.
As students return to class, Bell said the middle school staff is focused on maintaining a positive, respectful and student-centered learning community.
“We strive for Philomath Middle School to be a positive, respectful, and student centered learning community that is dedicated to preparing all students for success through times of growth and change by focusing on academic excellence and social responsibility,” he said.
Philomath Elementary School
Philomath Elementary School Principal Eric Beasley said the school saw a strong turnout at registration day heading into the 2026-27 year, and families have a new addition to look forward to on the playground.
A community fundraising effort helped pay for a new playground feature the school is calling “the Hot Lava Course,” which was designed with student input, Beasley said. The equipment is set to be installed during the third week of September, giving families a chance to see construction underway at Back to School Night, set for Sept. 16 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Enrollment is holding steady at around 395 students as of Friday, similar to last year, Beasley said. The school is welcoming 45 new students, a slightly larger group than in recent years. As in past years, second grade class sizes are smaller while fifth grade is larger, due in part to students coming in from Blodgett.
The school received a Farm to School Grant from the state of Oregon, which will fund a part-time garden educator and add garden lessons on Fridays along with fall and spring garden clubs, Beasley said. He said the addition builds on work by staff and volunteers to turn the school’s courtyard into a hands-on learning space that aligns with the school’s focus on STEAM-oriented instruction. The school also plans to continue offering programs including Bike Bus, Battle of the Books, chess, running club, Falcon Singers and swimming.
Three new teachers join PES this year: Justin Barron in second grade, Jana Wells as the new music teacher, and Audrey Hysell teaching students with special needs. There are no changes to the administrative staff this year.
Families will also notice continued facility upgrades. A multi-year project to replace carpet throughout the school reached the second grade classrooms and music room this summer, Beasley said, adding that the new carpet doubles as an instructional tool for young students who learn and play away from their desks. The school also added an ADA-accessible garden bed, donated by local partner Durable Green Bed, expanding growing space while serving as an example of inclusion for students.
As families head back to school, Beasley said he’s grateful for their trust and partnership.
“Learning can be both fun and hard, and as parents we get the opportunity to provide help and also allow them to face challenges and struggles,” he said. “This is how we grow. While foundational skills are critical, we work hard to help develop the whole child, including physical, social, and emotional skills, and look forward to partnering with families on this journey.”
Blodgett Elementary School
Blodgett Elementary School is seeing a modest enrollment increase this year, growing from 24 to 27 students after a smaller-than-usual fourth grade cohort in 2025-26.
Beasley, who in addition to PES is also principal at Blodgett, said the K-4 school is adopting the same new math curriculum as Philomath’s town schools this year, moving from McGraw-Hill MyMath to McGraw-Hill Reveal. The program, Beasley said, balances traditional methods with constructivist approaches to help students understand the reasoning behind mathematical procedures.
The school is also hoping to partner with Maxtivity to bring an artist-in-residence experience to students this year.
There are no staffing changes and no facility or technology upgrades at Blodgett this year.
Beasley said Blodgett’s small size remains central to its identity.
“Blodgett and the surrounding small communities in the coast range provide a unique school with two multi-age classes with a whole-child approach,” he said. “Small classes with an experienced staff prioritize personalized learning experiences. We look forward to partnering with families with events and activities in the year ahead.”
Clemens Primary School
Clemens Primary School Principal Abby Moser said excitement is building for the return of students, with teachers busy planning for what they hope will be a strong school year.
Enrollment trends are mixed this year. Kindergarten enrollment is lower than in past years, with 60 students enrolled as of early last week and class sizes at 15, a decrease Moser attributed partly to families in the community choosing to homeschool or enroll in programs offering smaller class sizes or more play-based learning. First grade, by contrast, has grown, adding 13 new students to the previous cohort for a total of 88 students, with class sizes currently at 22 to 23.
The school’s theme for the year is “Love First, Teach Second,” Moser said, with staff focused on inspiring a love of learning and a sense of belonging among students.
Several staffing changes are underway. Aileen Schrock, a familiar face at CPS through substitute teaching and parent involvement, will serve as a long-term kindergarten substitute for Charlene Opheim. Danielle Carter, a longtime student teacher in Melissa Malusky’s classroom who recently completed her master’s degree in education, will take over as a first grade teacher, replacing Alyssa Blackstone. Sarah Tenison, a new teacher, will become the school’s music teacher, replacing Hailey Van Essen. And Melissa Pope, the school’s current behavior specialist who is completing a master’s degree with a special education specialization, will serve as a long-term substitute in the Highly Structured Classroom while Kathryn Russell is on maternity leave.
On the classified staff side, Emma Calloway joins CPS as an instructional assistant, primarily in first grade classrooms, coming from Kings Valley Charter School. The school is also welcoming two student teachers this year: Sarah Stauff, working with Madison Allen, and Erin Rogers, working with Malusky.
There are no changes to administrative staff and no facility or technology upgrades planned this year, Moser said.
For parents navigating a child’s first day of kindergarten, Moser pointed to the strength of the school’s staff.
“As parents navigate the feelings of letting their child go to school for the first time, I encourage them to remember that each member of our staff is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can flourish,” she said. “We believe that every child deserves individualized care and attention, and our staff is committed to fostering each child’s social, emotional, physical and academic growth.”
