The Eugene School District announced principal changes for 2008-09 on May 1:

Gig Nelson will move from Harris Elementary to Gilham Elementary, replacing Teresa Smith, who is retiring. Wally Bryant will go to Harris and Eastside elementaries as the two schools collaborate on a new, merged program; he is currently the district's associate director of Human Resources.

It's a new position but a familiar face.

4J Superintendent George Russell announced the hiring of an Assistant Superintendent/Chief Operations Officer (or COO) on April 29: Carl Hermanns will take on a new position that oversees the Human Resources, Financial and Support Services, Facilities Management, and Computing and Information Services departments, as well as other non-instructional services.

The third annual A Champion in Education (ACE) Awards tabbed four educators with 4J at the April 29 ceremony at the Hult Center's Soreng Theater:

In August, the Oregon Senate passed a bill sponsored by Senator Vicki Walker amending existing laws and creating new provisions designed to protect all children from abuse. The bill compels the district to provide the following training each school year on the prevention and identification of child abuse and on the obligations of district employees to report abuse:

1. Training for ALL district employees;
2. Separate training for parents and legal guardians of children who attend a school operated by the district;
3. Separate, age-appropriate training for children who attend a school operated by the district.