Thursday, October 31, 2019 • Vol. 135, No. 18 • Oregon, WI • ConnectOregonWI.com • $1.25
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Oregon Observer The
Oregon School District
Bergstrom chosen to lead SCOTT DE LARUELLE Unified Newspaper Group
“Dr. B” will still be leading the way for the Oregon School District, its hundreds of educators and its 4,100-some students. But starting July 1, it will be Dr. Bergstrom, rather than Dr. Busler. The school board Monday appointed longtime district educator and current deputy superintendent Leslie Bergstrom to succeed Brian Busler as the OSD superintendent. Busler announced his retirement last month after 14 years in the role, and his last day is the official end of the 2019-20 school year, June 30. Board president Steve Zach said members
Inside List of new school names down to 2 Page 3 have been working with Busler for the past several months on a succession plan before coming to a consensus on promoting Bergstrom. She is Busler’s top deputy and has filled a variety of roles since joining the district in 2003. “And so with endings, we have beginnings,” Zach told Busler, in the first board meeting since the retirement announcement. “We’re saddened to see you go, but really excited to announce (Bergstrom) as our new superintendent.” Bergstrom said it was an
Turn to Bergstrom/Page 10
Randy Glysch steps down as OCRN chair and someone new is Kelly Allen is new chair at the helm. chair, will prioritize Kelly Allen, Youth Services and Community new library project Engagement Librarian for Oregon Public Library, EMILIE HEIDEMANN told the Observer Glysch nominated her for his old Unified Newspaper Group position when OCRN held After three years, Ore- its board elections earlier gon Village Board trustee in October. Within the last three Randy Glysch is stepping down as Oregon Community Resource Network Turn to Chairman/Page 12
Photo by Mackenzie Krumme
Vivian Mckibben, 4, plays musical squares during Triple Treat at Oregon High School Sunday, Oct. 27. She is dressed as a self-proclaimed princess peacock.
‘Food, family, fun’ Visitors experienced a triple treat of food, family and fun during the Triple Treat event at Oregon High School Sunday, Oct. 27. Organized by Hillcrest Bible Church, the annual celebration drew hundreds of families who came to enjoy face painting, nail
painting, walking tacos, hot dogs, more than 15 game stations and lots of candy. To view or buy the photos in the slideshow, visit smugmug.com Contact Mackenzie at mackenzie.krumme@ wcinet.com.
On the Web To view more Triple Treat photos, visit ConnectOregonWI.com
Village of Oregon
Budget plan: $100 tax increase Includes new positions at police department, senior center EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
Area taxpayers would see higher than normal tax increases for the second year in a row under a plan going to the Village Board this month. The proposed budget, put together by village staff with feedback from trustees at three budget meetings over the past month, adds a patrol officer, a division
Tax impact The village 2020 proposed budget includes a tax rate of $5.40 of $1,000 of assessed value, which is up from $5.39 last year. That means a home assessed at $300,000 would pay $1,600 in property taxes to the village. chief position for the Oregon Area Fire/EMS District and a senior center administrative assistant, a part-time
library staffer and adds hours for a police secretary. The budget is also set to include a 3% cost of living adjustment for non-union employees. That comes with a tax increase of about $90 on the average home, valued at $305,010, or a 6% jump. The Village Board plans to review and adopt the budget after public hearing at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, , at Village Hall, 117 Spring St. I n S e p t e m b e r, G r a c z told the Observer all the requested positions were important to help Oregon become the modern community it should be. He and
If You Go What: Village of Oregon budget public hearing When: 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18 Where: Village Hall, 117 Spring St. Info: 835-3118 Novinska said they were working on ways to squeeze all the positions into this budget cycle. One option was hiring positions in the middle of the year rather than the
Turn to Budget/Page 12
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Deputy superintendent will succeed retiring Busler in July