More stability in Pioneer School District

The Pioneer School District started the 2022-2023 school year in turmoil.

In February 2022, the Pioneer School Board had placed Superintendent Jill Diehl on paid administrative leave almost two months after the Pioneer Education Association presented the board with a vote of "no confidence" against her. Former Southside Schools Superintendent Doris Bolender replaced her as acting superintendent.

Jeff Davis took the helm as superintendent the first week of July 2022. The native of Newberg, Oregon, worked in Oregon schools for 35 years as a teacher, football coach, athletic director, assistant principal and superintendent before spending nine years as superintendent of the Onlaska School District in Pierce County.

The district started the previous school year with 54 new employees. When classes started today, 22 new employees are onboard.

"It makes me feel people wanted to be here, or wanted to stay," Davis said. He added, "I think we've heading in the right direction."

The district projects about 740 students in kindergarten through the eighth grade will start classes today. The largest projected class is the second-graders at about 100 students.

The district will focus on the second year of the Professional Learning Communities, where groups of teachers by grade or content area who look into student data and assessment and monitor learning, Davis said. The district will also focus on working on Positive Behavior and Intervention Systems, and on increasing student attendance, he said.

"Our attendance since COVID has not been what it needs to be," Davis said.

During the summer, parking spaces were added to the lots at both schools. The district received a grant to buy a new freezer for the food department. The district also received a grant to purchase a new administration building, which he hopes will be in place by the end of December, Davis said.

The Pioneer School Board on July 25 passed a budget of $15 million for the school year, an increase of about $400,000 from last school year, Davis said.

In February, the district's replacement levy passed after receiving 1,810 "yes" votes for 54.9%, and 1,487 "no" votes for 45.1%.

"We're thankful we have a supportive community," Davis said.

Winter break is Dec. 21 through Jan. 3. Spring break is April 1-5. June 14 is the tentative last day of the school year.