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McGaughy hired as Coos Bay superintendent By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
The Coos Bay School District officially has a new leader. After a months-long search, the school board voted to hire Charis McGaughy as the district’s new superintendent. McGaughy will take the position July 1 after Bryan Trendell officially retires. McGaughy was one of two finalists that met with the community and answered questions two weeks ago. Nanette Hagan, the current superintendent of the Myrtle Point School District, was the second finalist. McGaughy currently serves as the interim superintendent of the South Coast Education Service District in Coos Bay. She previously served as the assistant superintendent for instruction for seven years in the Eugene school district. “Dr. McGaughy will be a wonderful addition to our school district,” said board Vice Chair Kim Brick. During the public meeting, McGaughy said she applied for the superintendent post in Coos Bay because she and her husband love the community and want to remain her permanently. “I love small, coastal communities,” she said. “I graduated
from one. I believe Coos Bay School District is the shining star in the area.” McGaughy said one of her goals as superintendent will be to increase partnerships between the school district and the community. She explained that public schools cannot always meet every need of a student, but by working with others, the partnership can make a big difference in students’ lives. “My vision for every student is building a comprehensive community wrap around so we know every child’s name and needs so we can meet those needs.” McGaughy received her master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin in public affairs. She received doctoral degree in educational leadership, policy and organizations from Vanderbilt University. “It’s an honor to accept this position, and I am excited to work with this team,” McGaughy said after receiving the job. As she prepares to become the superintendent of the Coos Bay School District, McGaughy said her philosophy toward public education will remain the same as it was when she started as a classroom teacher. “Always putting students first,” she said. “That’s my heart.”
Photo by David Rupkalvis/The World
Charis McGaughy was officially chosen as the next superintendent of the Coos Bay School District during a board meeting Monday. She will take the position July 1.
Bond, tax issues to be on May ballot By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
In addition to voting on candidates for two county commission seats and a county clerk, Coos County voters will have three propositions to consider in the May 17 primary election. Countywide, voters will be asked to decide whether or not to implement a 9.5% tax on shortterm lodging in the Charleston area, just outside of Coos Bay. While the vote is countywide, the tax would only be added to short-term stays in Charleston, impacting those staying in hotels, motels, campgrounds and short-term home rentals like AirBnB's. The tax would only be charged to people staying less than 30 days and would impact Charleston, Cape Arago and places like Sunset Beach. Revenue generated by the tax will be spent on the promotion of tourism and the provision of county services. If passed, 70% of the tax revenue would be spent on the promotion of tourism and tourism-related facilities in Charleston with 30% going into a fund to pay for public safety and cleanup efforts in Charleston. The Charleston tax will appear on the ballot as Measure 6-194. In Coos Bay, voters will decide whether to approve a property tax to build a new library and 9-1-1 communications center. The ballot asks voters to allow the city to sell $20 million in general obligation bonds to fund the construction at Topits Park. If approved, the money will fund the construction of a 32,700-square-foot library and 9-1-1 dispatch center. The new Please see Ballot Page A2
Photo by David Rupkalvis/The World
Members of the North Bend City Council get a close up look at the aging infrastructure at the North Bend City Pool last year. The council voted to accept a bid to replace the pump, filter, heating system and some piping.
North Bend accepts bid for pool repair By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
Work will soon begin on replacing the aging infrastructure at the North Bend City Pool. On Tuesday, the City Council voted unanimously to accept a
bid from West Coast Contractors to replace the pump, filter, heating elements and some piping, much of which is original to when the pool first opened. The bid came in higher than anticipated, but the council decided with increasing costs
everywhere, it was time to bite the bullet and get to work on repairing the pool. The North Bend City Pool has been closed since the end of 2021 to repair the aging infrastructure, but during the first round of bidding, no company
placed a bid. The bid from West Coast Contractors came in at $781,819, of which $50,000 is contingency. Finance Director Jessica Terra told the council the city budgeted Please see Pool Page A2
Lawmakers seek federal funding for port By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
Six of Oregon’s seven Congressional members are going to bat to bring in funding to help the Port of Coos Bay bring a container port to Coos Bay. On Wednesday, the federal representatives sent a letter to Pres. Joe Biden, asking that federal funds in the Infrastructure
Investments and Jobs Act be allocated toward supporting the efforts of the port. In the letter, the lawmakers highlight the importance of investing in the country’s rural ports to address supply chain issues, create jobs and increase economic productivity, and how this project specifically will produce significant environmental benefits.
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The letter was signed by Congressman Peter DeFazio, Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer and Kurt Schrader. “The IIJA includes tens of billions of dollars that can be utilized for modernizing our nation’s port infrastructure,” wrote the delegation. “Even as your administration works to
identify investments that can have an immediate impact, we must accommodate for the fact that container flows on the West Coast are projected to grow at a rapid pace well into the future. While current port infrastructure is incapable of handling this future growth in trade, there is one location where significant port Please see Port Page A3
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