For the past two months at Philomath School Board meetings, citizens have come forward to share their concerns about the future of the school district’s well-respected forestry program.
At the July 7 meeting, lifelong forester and agriculturalist Van Decker spoke during public comments about the importance of the program and how it impacts the lives of students and businesses in the vicinity.
“I’ve heard comments that there may be some changes to the forestry program and if there is, I’d like to know about it,” said Decker, who said he was representing himself but also mentioned his associations with Decker Tree Farm, B&G Logging and Wren Hill Lumber. “I appreciate the opportunity to talk to you about it. If there’s some things coming from the state or something, the forest industry here would be very supportive to speak for anything that needs to be done.”
Superintendent of Schools Susan Halliday said in July that she had heard secondhand “in the scuttle(butt)” that people were concerned about the forestry program possibly being cut.
“The forestry program is not going to be cut … it’s not the intent to cut the program,” Halliday told Decker. “In fact, if anything, we want to reinvigorate the program and so having conversations with people like yourself would be greatly appreciated.”
Decker played the primary role in the Castle family’s gift in 2016 of a 20-acre forested plot of land to Philomath Community Foundation, which came with the stipulation that it would be used for Philomath School District educational purposes. Called Castle Family Forest, it is located on the west side of Kings Valley Highway about 100 yards north of Wren Community Hall.
Simon Babcock, who runs the PHS forestry program, worked for Decker back when he was in high school. Decker himself worked for Rex Clemens when he was young.
“If I can help in any way with the forestry program, I’m glad to do it,” Decker said. “The timber industry as a whole really supports this program.”
Halliday’s comments didn’t appear to make any concerns completely go away, however. At the Aug. 14 school board meeting, Janet Selby and Lauren Smouse both spoke during public comments.
“I think the program itself is different than anything you’ll find anywhere else in the state,” Selby said. “It is the only full-time forestry program in the state now — there used to be many different ones but through time and sometimes just simply because of a lack of a teacher, programs have been discontinued.”
Selby has intimate knowledge of the program through several avenues. Her husband, Terry Selby, was a longtime forestry and natural resources teacher at Philomath High leading up to his tragic death in 2002 when he fell from a 90-foot pole at a logging competition in Alaska. Selby has lived in Philomath since 1986.
“It is essential to keep the program,” she said.
Smouse said she has knowledge of the program as a mother, grandmother and owner of a local logging business that currently employs three former PHS forestry students.
“With 50 years of history, it should not be forgotten that it takes commitment to keep such a program with community support,” Smouse said. “Forestry is the economic base of this community.”
Smouse then mentioned several businesses in the region that have benefitted from the program’s graduates.
Halliday reiterated what she had told Decker in July and added a few new tidbits of information.
“The comment that we made at the board meeting when he was here last time was there is no desire to end the forestry program,” Halliday said. “That’s not on the radar. If anything, we want to enhance and grow and see where we can go.”
Halliday said last week that there were efforts to set up a meeting to communicate with forestry program supporters. She also mentioned that an instructional assistant position has been filled for this school year thanks to resource funding through the Ford Family Foundation.
2. Maxtivity featured in article
Oregon Artswatch a few weeks ago profiled Maxtivity Arts and Crafts Creative Space in a feature story that showcased how the Philomath nonprofit is maximizing its creative capacity in rural Oregon.
Founded in 2018 by friends Lori Paul and Chelsea Kirkaldie, Maxtivity offers accessible arts programming through open studio times, afterschool clubs, classes, summer camps and artist-in-residence programs. According to the story, which was written by Erin Jimerson, the organization served over 8,000 individuals across Linn and Benton counties in 2024, supported by more than 900 volunteer hours.
“For students with limited income, Maxtivity offers sliding-scale pricing to support a range of financial situations,” Jimerson wrote. “To help reduce the stigma around seeking assistance, families complete a simple self-assessment to determine the level of support that best fits their needs. The organization also provides a cooperative option, where individuals can volunteer in exchange for free or discounted access to programs.”
In the article, Executive Director Sarah Lench emphasized that rural communities already have rich artistic traditions — Maxtivity’s role is to amplify and connect them. A unique aspect involves The Glory, one of the country’s oldest kinetic sculpture vehicles that brings together community members of all ages in collaborative decoration efforts, recently earning “best art” at the Graand Kinetic Challenge.
The nonprofit’s community engagement extends beyond its studio walls through partnerships with local schools, farmers markets and events like the Corvallis Knights Science, Engineering and Art Day.
“This organization has connected me to so many wonderful people, artists and business owners, kids, and parents,” Paul is quoted as saying in the feature.
Read the story in its entirety on the Oregon Artswatch website.
3. Softstar acquires other company
Philomath-based Softstar Shoes earlier this year acquired Sense of Motion Footwear as the Oregon company marks its 40th year in business.
Sense of Motion (SOM) has operated out of Montrose, Colorado, for more than 10 years producing minimalist outdoor footwear. The company’s founders, Olie and Natalie Marchal, are stepping away from the business to pursue endurance running and travel.
Softstar will continue manufacturing Sense of Motion’s products in the United States. The company has already relaunched two models — the Mesa (formerly called the Briquette) and the Graciano, which became available for purchase on Aug. 19.
“This acquisition allows us to preserve what made SOM special while offering their designs to a wider audience through our platform,” Keita Beard, Softstar’s chief operations officer, said through a press release.
Both companies specialize in minimalist footwear designed to promote natural foot movement. Softstar, established in 1985, handcrafts leather shoes.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed in the company’s press release.
(Brad Fuqua is publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He can be reached at News@PhilomathNews.com).
