LONG CREEK – It was with heavy hearts that Long Creek School Board met at its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 9, minus long-standing board member Jim Cannon who passed away at his home on Pine Creek on March 8.

Cannon had been on the Long Creek School Board for approximately 31 years and as Board Chairman Amy Kreger stated, “Our Community lost a good friend and neighbor today.” The Board agreed that something had to be done in his honor as Cannons’ memory and contribution to the Long Creek School was very important.

At the meeting the Board made several appointments: Jackie Johns was appointed to fill the Fox District seat on the School Board. Johns has experience on school boards, having previously served on the Long Creek School Board for approximately 10 years. Rick Henslee was appointed position No. 4 on the School Budget Committee.

Principal Lloyd Hartley gave his report. Hartley stated that the basketball award ceremony would be held at 7 p.m. March 31 at the school. He also said Back to School Week, which includes a barbecue, would be held sometime during the week of April 26-30, but that he wasn’t quite sure of the exact date yet. Hartley also asked the Board for a motion to lower his raise next year, from 5.8 percent to 5.4 percent. The Board unanimously voted to decrease Hartley’s raise.

Hartley told the Board that on March 31, the junior and senior classes would be traveling to Blue Mt. Community College in Pendelton: “So they can sit in on real college classes,” Hartley said. Hartley also told Board Members that the school had a surplus inventory of various items that were not being used.

“Before we just dump it, we should see if anyone in town wants it,” Hartley stated. Board member Amy Kreger said that there were keyboards, three or four pianos that weren’t worth anything to anyone.” Board members, Jackie Johns and Jake Winslow said the pianos were costly and Johns stated that they could sell them to the community. The Board decided to think about it.

Kreger told the Board that the Site Council was working on giving local adults an opportunity to take some night classes such as high school algebra.

After official business had been taken care of, Board member Rusty Clark asked Hartley, “I want to know why we can’t have an FFA (Future Farmers of America) program.”

Board Member Amy Kreger responded that they needed to work on the logistics.

Clark replied, “If we don’t get more things for our high school kids, we won’t have a high school.”

Board Member Joe Coelho mentioned his step-son, who goes to school in Long Creek, is in FFA in John Day and is doing great. Board member Jake Winslow expressed that the FFA program is greatly missed.

Hartley stated, “If we hire an FFA teacher, it will jeopardize our elementary school, and Long Creek will be broke in seven years.”