Jefferson Education

Klamath Community College is highlighting two workforce-focused updates in the Klamath Basin: a $363,000 Cascade Health Alliance award for its Childcare Learning Center and a No. 2 statewide ranking for its Licensed Practical Nursing program.

Oregon Tech has added three new members to its Board of Trustees: Arnel Fajardo, Ph.D., Christine “Chris” Mangan and current student Cruz Collin. The trustees were nominated by Gov. Tina Kotek, confirmed by the Oregon Senate on June 17 and will begin their service July 1.

Klamath County School District Superintendent Glen Szymoniak was recognized during the June school board meeting ahead of his June 30 retirement, closing eight years of district leadership marked by financial stability, facility improvements, expanded student opportunities and record graduation gains.

Klamath Community College and Oregon Tech celebrated their 2026 graduates in Klamath Falls last week, honoring students who earned degrees, certificates and workforce-focused credentials. The ceremonies highlighted persistence, family support, rural opportunity and the next steps for hundreds of graduates across the Klamath Basin.

Southern Oregon University’s Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the university’s Vitality Plan, moving SOU into a yearlong implementation phase tied to emergency state funding. The plan calls for more than $20 million in reductions and includes the sunsetting of three academic programs.

Rogue Community College and Southern Oregon University will both hold commencement ceremonies Saturday, recognizing more than 1,300 students across the Rogue Valley. RCC will celebrate its largest graduating class since 2018, while SOU marks its 100th commencement since reopening at its Ashland campus.

Oregon Tech is closing the academic year with several campus updates, including a new dean, a fully online dental hygiene master’s program and recognition for retiring employees who served the university for a combined 113 years.

Henley High School students returned from the 2026 World KidWind Challenge with two major honors, including a Wind Champion award for team Valley Breeze and an Innovation Award for Walker Crawford’s solo-entry turbine design.

Klamath Union High School’s Digital Media program celebrated a standout year during its Digital Media Awards Night, recognizing students for creative work, leadership and national achievement. The evening highlighted student films, community partnerships, a new scholarship and growing opportunities tied to professional-level media projects.

Henley fourth-graders built their own birdhouses last week with help from middle and high school construction students, turning a hands-on shop project into a cross-grade learning experience.

The Medford School District’s approved 2026-2027 budget includes a net reduction of 20 full-time positions, with officials citing declining enrollment, growing special education needs, and long-term financial stability concerns.

Oregon Tech will celebrate its Class of 2026 on June 13 at the Klamath Falls campus, with OHSU President Dr. Shereef Elnahal serving as keynote speaker. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m., followed by Oregon Tech’s Portland-Metro commencement on June 14.

Southern Oregon University’s request for up to $15 million in one-time emergency state funding moved forward this week after unanimous support from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. The SOU Board of Trustees also voted to begin a broader viability planning process, while leaving final decisions on specific academic and operational cuts for later review.

The Klamath County School District Board of Directors has selected Melissa Cole as its next superintendent. Cole, a Klamath Falls resident and longtime educator with more than 25 years of experience, will succeed retiring Superintendent Glen Szymoniak and begin leading the district on July 1.

The Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission is considering a request to seek up to $15 million in emergency state funding for Southern Oregon University. The money would support SOU’s cashflow needs through fiscal year 2027 as the university faces a major budget shortfall and considers long-term restructuring options.

Basin Transit Service says it partnered with Klamath Community College to help a staff member earn a commercial driver license with a passenger endorsement. The agency says the training will allow the employee to operate a college vehicle used to support student and athletic transportation needs.

Oakdale Middle School has unveiled a 16-foot mural created with help from more than 200 students and staff members. The colorful feathered-wing artwork honors the Medford school’s first generation of students and staff since opening in 2023.

Klamath Community College has announced that Klamath Falls City Manager Jonathan Teichert will serve as keynote speaker for its June 12 commencement ceremony. Teichert, who credits community college with changing his own educational path, said he is honored to speak to this year’s KCC graduates.

Two Henley High School students from Klamath Falls were recognized in Oregon’s 2026 young worker safety media contest. Pyper Fussell earned first place in graphic design, while Harlee Stephens was named a finalist for a separate design promoting heat illness prevention for young workers.

Klamath Community College has launched a $1 million capital campaign to support its new Childcare Learning Center, a 29,000-square-foot facility expected to open in fall 2027. The center will serve up to 144 children while also providing training space for KCC students studying early childhood education.

Grants Pass School District 7 has received state summer learning funding to support literacy, enrichment and school readiness programs for students. The funding will help continue Kinder Camps, launch Literacy Quest for invited elementary students and support a 5th- to 6th-Grade Transition Academy in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley.

Oregon Tech students earned multiple top honors at America’s Innovate IT Collegiate Conference, including first place in the Analyze IT Challenge and additional recognition in cybersecurity and troubleshooting events. The national competition tested students through real-world information technology, cybersecurity, data analysis, and problem-solving challenges.

The Henley Hornets won the second annual KCSD Iron Chef: Battle of the Schools after a full day of cooking, teamwork and competition at the Klamath County Fairgrounds. Student teams from Henley, Bonanza, Lost River, Mazama and the Klamath County Transition Program showcased their culinary skills with support from local chefs, educators and community partners.

A group of southern Oregon school district superintendents and Asante Health representatives visited Klamath Falls for a closer look at a growing healthcare education partnership. The tour highlighted how local schools, Sky Lakes Medical Center and Klamath Community College are connecting students with classroom instruction, college credit and hands-on clinical experience.

Ashland Police, the Ashland School District and Ashland Rotary partnered for the Ashland READS program, a literacy celebration for local first-grade students. The event included new books for students, a high school percussion welcome and a community BBQ served with help from Ashland Police officers.

Student entrepreneurs at Oregon Tech competed for startup funding during the 2026 Catalyze Klamath Challenge, where $20,500 was awarded to help turn product ideas into real businesses. Winning concepts included a patented deck vacuum attachment and a fog-eliminating dental mirror.

Bonanza senior Brooklyn Latscha has helped transform the school greenhouse into a thriving student-led program focused on agriculture, business skills and hands-on learning for younger students.

Conger Elementary third graders explored Moore Park through the Klamath Outdoor Science School, learning forestry, ecology, wildlife habitats, and how to estimate a tree’s age by counting its rings.

Henley High School students captured six state championships and qualified multiple teams for nationals at the SkillsUSA Oregon State Conference, highlighting the continued strength of the school’s Career and Technical Education programs.

Nearly $48.7 million in federal Secure Rural Schools funding is headed to Oregon counties, with Southern Oregon communities receiving some of the largest allocations in the state. Douglas, Klamath, Jackson, and Josephine counties are among the top recipients.