Sounding Boards Podcast

OSBA Sounding Boards is an occasional exploration of school system issues with education experts and passionate advocates. You can listen to episodes by clicking on the titles below or through your favorite podcast app.

ODE Director Charlene Williams: “Accountability matters”
The wide-open spaces of Malheur County impressed upon Oregon Department of Education Director Charlene Williams some of the differences between Oregon’s rural and urban schools, shaping her agency leadership. As she approaches her second year as director, she wants to change the narrative about public Oregon education while taking into account the state’s varied needs.

Protecting a town’s heart
The Oregon Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program supports school district projects to make old buildings safer in an emergency. The Powers School District is using $1.5 million from the program to protect and restore a century-old town landmark. To read more about the work, visit OSBA’s News Center. 

End of naming, shaming and blaming
The Oregon Department of Education is here to help school districts and education service districts as the Student Success Act adds public education program funding and puts new demands on school leaders, says Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Colt Gill.

Preventing threats before students are lost
John Van Dreal, an internationally recognized school safety expert, explains how the Salem-Keizer Threat Assessment System he helped pioneer can be used to guide educators to identify potentially dangerous situations and intervene before they escalate to tragedy.

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Oregon School Boards Association
Amazing, innovative and heroic stories take place in Oregon’s schools every day. OSBA wants to share some of the work that shows public education is #OregonStrong. Today we have a story from Northwest Regional Education Service District: When Do Kids Start Learning to Read? It’s Not Kindergarten (Nestucca Valley School District)Read more: www.nwresd.org/Home/Components/News/News/1289/59#oregonstrong #oregon #publiceducation #studentsuccess #educationmatters Northwest Regional Education Service District - Official ... See MoreSee Less
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Amazing, innovative and heroic stories take place in Oregon’s schools every day. OSBA wants to share some of the work that shows public education is #OregonStrong. Today we have a story from Jewell School District: School Attendance is a Family AffairRead more: www.nwresd.org/Home/Components/News/News/1323/59#oregonstrong #Oregon #publiceducation #studentsuccess #educationmatters Jewell School District 8 ... See MoreSee Less
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The Dufur School District’s long-standing commitment to creating healthier and more efficient school facilities has drawn national attention along with a helpful grant. Read more: www.osba.org/dufur-sets-national-example-for-healthier-and-more-efficient-schools/#oregon #education #publicschools #Dufur #grants #safeschools #seismology ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations to the Dufur School District, one of the first 10 school districts in the nation to receive a $50,000 grant from the NSBA and the Go Green Initiative to improve indoor air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Read more: https://www.nsba.org/who-we-are/news/indoor-air-quality-grant-winners-2025

Today we have a story from St. Helens School District:
St. Helens Senior Walk of Schools 2025 (Video)

Read more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvSZwEIxAJA

#OregonStrong #oregon #publiceducation #studentsuccess #educationmatters @StHelensSD

Today we have a story from Vale School District:
State Grant Supports Unforgettable Outdoor Learning Opportunity for Vale Elementary

Read more: https://www.facebook.com/valeschooldistrict84/posts/1041689637943306/

#OregonStrong #oregon #publiceducation #studentsuccess #educationmatters

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