Facing a deficit of nearly $6 million next year, Eugene School District 4J is discussing how to balance its budget on the heels of two years of deep cuts.

The passage of Measures 66 and 67 significantly improved 4J’s budget outlook, but did not make the district whole. A funding gap remains due to declining enrollment, state and local revenues falling short, and the use of reserve funds to ease cuts in previous years.

River Road / El Camino del Río Elementary School in north Eugene has been presented with Oregon’s Celebrating Student Success Award and a $3,000 check to honor the significant progress it has made toward closing the academic achievement gap. Of the 15 Oregon schools that received the award this year for improving student achievement among minority and/or low-income students, River Road is the only school in our area to be so recognized.

Impulsive acts can have long-term consequences

“Sexting” — taking nude or semi-nude photos and sending them between cell phones or other networked devices — is a modern trend that can have serious consequences. Once sent, images may be forwarded from phone to phone or posted on the internet, and can never be reeled back in. The fallout can include social, school, and even legal consequences.

You can help protect your kids by talking to them about appropriate and inappropriate behavior when sending text messages and using the internet.