Mosier Community School Introduces New Director; Begins Facility Projects to Improve Safety
MCS held a community meeting to introduce a new interim Executive Director and give updates on facilities projects to improve school safety.
Mosier Community School Board Chair Dan Watson, Executive Director Matt Henry, and Security Officer Kentton Chandler in the gym following the Mosier School Board meeting yesterday evening. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
Mosier, OR, September 14, 2023– Mosier School Board held a special in person board meeting to introduce their new Interim Executive Director Matt Henry, and to provide an update on facilities projects to improve safety and security at the school following threats of gun violence in April of 2023.
The projects come at a time when the neighboring community of The Dalles, OR, is considering a school bond which would fund building of a safer The Dalles High School which is a part of North Wasco County School District District #21. D21 is Mosier Community School’s Charter sponsor.
A New Executive Director
Matt Henry, interim Executive Director for MCS gives a presentation to the community. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Matt Henry presented his vision for Mosier Community School at the meeting which spoke to grit, perseverance, passion, and the importance of working together.
“My vision is that we’re truly partners in influencing the future,” said Henry, stating that there is no other profession like education, “I will model the vision. I will prioritize safety. I will be visible and present everywhere.”
Henry said he would spend his first 30 days assessing the climate of the MCS, learning, and planning for MCS’s future as well as helping to implement improved safety measures at the school.
“MCS Board of Directors is confident that Matt Henry, Interim ED, and his extensive experience in emergency safety protocol measures and related facility improvements will ensure that the remaining projects are completed in the most efficient and least disruptive manner possible for students and staff,” said the MCS Board.
The board also shared that the search for a permanent director is underway. The board has hired a company to find someone that fits the board’s mission and vision for MCS and hopes to onboard a permanent director by next year.
Addressing Safety Concerns with Facilities Improvements
The front entrance to Mosier Community School. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
The School Board handed out fliers to meeting attendees outlining safety measures and facilities projects that are currently being undertaken by the school. The timeline for said projects depends on a number of factors, but several of the projects are expected to begin later this month.The safety measures are being funded through Emergency Relief Funds for schools, grants and other federal funds.
“The Mosier Community School (MCS) staff and its Board of Directors share your fears and concerns and would like to express our deep gratitude for your patience, understanding and support as we continue to make necessary safety improvements at the school,” said the MCS board.
Safety measures being implemented:
Security Guard
Last year MCS hired a security guard. This year, MCS has decided it will continue to employ a security guard at the school. MCS is the only school in the D21 district to have a security guard on school grounds during regular hours of operation until all safety upgrades have been completed. The school gym will remain unavailable for non-school-related use.
In the future MCS plans to get community input on continuing to employ the security guard.
“Some people like having a security person here. Some really don’t,” said Dan Watson, board Chair.
Watson said the board wanted to prioritize community input in their decision.
Fencing of the MCS Campus
Fencing around the entire perimeter of the school is expected to begin this fall, including installing the front gate at the south end of the basketball court and a walk-in gate on the north side of the middle school campus for bus access. Temporary fencing is scheduled to be installed on the middle school campus this Monday, September 18th until the metal 6-ft high fence from Fortress Building Products can be installed.
Alarm and Surveillance System Project
“We are actively installing a full security system that will monitor both the exterior and interior cameras of the main building (7 external and 3 internal recordable cameras with 4 monitors). The middle school buildings will also have security cameras and systems in place. Monitors are the last tentative set-up for this to be completed; timeline being scheduled,” said the MCS board.
Door Replacement Project
A photo showing the current doors that lead into the school’s gym. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
MCS will install new doors for the south, main, and gym entrances to the main building, which will be delivered on September 28th and installed in mid-October. MCS The entrance door, as well as the gym door, will be replaced with new metal doors that have double-glazed half-glass to make them more resistant. The doors on the east side of the building will also be replaced with all-metal doors with small viewing windows.
ADA Lift Project
A wheelchair lift will be replaced at the school following its delivery to the school later this month.
Middle School Campus Project
The "Hillside" modular-which was previously in the parking lot south of the elementary school - is currently being moved to the annex and former gas station property which has been donated to the school. Half has been moved and the second half scheduled to be moved on the 14th, before being finished up over the weekend. The seaming of the midline of the roof will be worked on by a facilities volunteer. Repairs will be needed and an ADA ramp to the building will be built. The large hole left behind on the south side of the parking lot where the modular building stood will be temporarily fenced while the best way to fill the space is determined.
A Single Point of Entry
A photo showing the main entrance to the school. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
“The vision and plan for MCS is to create a fully enclosed and secure pre-kindergarten, elementary and middle school campus with one point of entry on the east side of the building (the double doors located near the basketball court),” said the MCS board.
“In 2024 there are plans for the main office to be moved to the lower level classroom on the east side of the building. At that time visitors will no longer be able to access the school and its grounds without first checking-in to the east side entrance. In order to achieve this project, MCS will need to raise an additional $10,000 to cover the estimated costs of converting the lower level room for office use.”
“Having a single point of entry will dramatically improve safety for students and staff,” said the MCS board.
Mosier Community Chimes In On Increased Security Measures
During the meeting, community members expressed concerns that the person who made threats at the school last year is still living in the area and can even see inside the school from where they live and that the man frequently takes walks in the area.
“The concern is that on the west side. The person who made those threats last year is able to look in the windows because they live over there.”
Directors responded that the school had prioritized the strength of the fence for that reason.
Community members wanted to know if that individual was being tracked by the school or other community agencies.
“This person is being monitored,” said Henry, noting that the security officer stationed at the school was aware of the man’s movements.
Others thanked the school for the measures they were taking and asked that the school improve mental health services for students once security measures were in place.
“I just want to bring it back to the fact that we’re all struggling with our mental health. So, while I appreciate the fortress building. I think ideally we would really like to be inviting the community into schools, right? So ideally once we get done with these projects I would love for us to start thinking about funding our teachers better, our TA’s better, and getting more mental health services for the kids that are inside the school.”
MCS Board members shared that they were looking forward to the new school year, despite the challenges set before them.
“I’m really excited about this year, about this board, and about this staff. There’s an excitement in this school that I haven’t seen before. We knew that this was going to be a challenging year but I think we are doing what we can to set a course that creates a collaborative environment for kids to learn and for staff to have a say in how that happens,” said Dan Watson, MCS Board Chair.
The board thanked staff, Henry, and those behind the scenes workers like Brent Foster, parent volunteer extraordinaire, for their work to make the facilities projects possible, and for their roles in making the school run smoothly.
Support Local News
Local news delivers on content that is relevant to our communities in the here and now.
