ROSEBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS RAISES ATHLETIC FEES - 07/21/10
As a result of the Governor's announcement in late May of a second year of dramatic budget cuts for public schools, Roseburg Public Schools Board of Directors has raised the participation fee by $50 for athletes beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. This student fee increase is in response to the nearly $2.5 million in reductions necessary for Roseburg Public Schools from its originally proposed budget for this coming school year, and is in addition to $4 million which the district was required to cut last school year.

Roseburg High School Athletic Director Russ Bolin presented the proposed fee increase to the Board of Directors at its July 14, regular meeting. According to Bolin, without this fee increase the high school and both middle schools would likely be faced with reductions to their athletic programs. Bolin's memo indicated that Roseburg's athletic fees have generally been lower than the schools with which RHS competes, and this increase would raise our fees to comparable levels with most of the districts in our league.

Beginning this fall, for students wishing to compete in athletics at the middle school the athletic participation fee will increase from $75 to $125 with a $300 family maximum. At the high school a similar $50 increase will occur, with participation fees increasing from $100 to $150 dollars with a family $300 maximum.

On a related note, Jo Lane and Fremont middle schools have announced that they are working on restructuring the football coaching responsibilities to accommodate two football teams for both 7th and 8th grade levels. More information will be available in the school registration letters that will be sent home in early August.

District Statement Regarding Staff Member Arrest - 07/07/10
Local Authorities have informed Roseburg Public Schools that Steven Derlacki, a person who taught second grade at Fullerton IV Elementary School, has been arrested on multiple counts of Encouraging the Sexual Abuse of a Child.

The District has given the Roseburg Police Department its full cooperation with respect to their investigation. Preliminary reports from the Police indicate that no Fullerton IV students or any other local children were the victims of the alleged crimes. Notwithstanding this information, the District will provide all Fullerton IV parents with Police contact information and abuse reporting information should they have any concerns or information they wish to share with authorities.

The District has reported Mr. Derlacki's arrest to the Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC). The TSPC is the licensing and regulatory authority for all Oregon teachers. The TSPC will likely conduct an independent investigation into the charges made and determine whether Mr. Derlacki should continue to have an Oregon teaching license.

No person convicted of a crime involving children will be allowed to teach in a Roseburg Public Schools classroom. In the upcoming weeks, the District will conduct an internal investigation of the allegations against Mr. Derlacki. The District wishes to assure its patrons and the public that the safety and welfare of the children placed in its care are of the utmost concern for us. Until the criminal proceedings, any TSPC investigation and our own internal investigation are completed, Mr. Derlacki will not be allowed on school property.