March 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM - Special Meeting of the KFCS Board of Education

Description:  The board welcomes you to the special meeting.  Public input is welcome and encouraged during the Public Comment segment of this meeting. 

All those wishing to address the board have previously submitted their comments electronically or have submitted a  Request to Speak form prior to the start of this meeting. Three (3) minutes is allotted for each individual speaker, with a total of fifteen (15) total minutes for this segment of the agenda.  


DECORUM:  Civility, decorum, and respect for the functioning and dignity of the Board of Education shall be maintained at all times.  In keeping with this, the Chair will not approve the posting of written public comments that are breaches of decorum or of the rules set forth in Policy BDDH Public Comment at Board Meetings (this includes submissions for which identifying information including name and address cannot be verified).  Topics such as personnel matters, pending appeals, specific student disciplinary matters or those which constitute commercial solicitations are not permitted.  Disparaging remarks, personal attacks and inflammatory comments about specific schools, personnel or Board members are not permitted.  Speakers who engage in these comments will be reminded of the rules, and the Board reserves the right to remove the speaker from the agenda.

Sam Stewart, Street Address: 1511 Pacific Terrace (will be present to read)

1. During the March 10th KFCS Board of Education board meeting, certain statements were made by an individual that are assumed to refer to the KU women’s basketball program. As a coach for this program, I would like the opportunity to address these statements and refute the claims the made as they are pertinent to ongoing issues within the district. I have a prepared statement. (see attached)
2. In light of the numerous events that have taken place at Klamath Union High School over the past six months, it's essential to acknowledge the unwavering support from our community members. These individuals, many of whom are prominent figures within our community, are not offering their backing blindly. We aren't just friends and acquaintances; we are dedicated members of our community who care deeply about our schools and, most importantly, the success of our children. Many of us have been part of this community for years, far longer than the current school and district personnel, and we have witnessed administrators come and go with little impact on our student-athletes and athletic programs.
   This individual is different. We have a deep understanding of how our community operates, and we know what is best for our students and student-athletes. We recognize who and what will ultimately help them succeed both on and off the field. Our support for him isn't based on popularity; it's because he genuinely supports our children, your students, and the KFCS mission: to empower every student, enrich every mind, and transform every future. He is fulfilling this mission more effectively than any previous administrator at KU. The support he has garnered from parents, students, and respected community members speaks volumes about the positive change he has brought to the culture and the high standards he has set for our exceptional student-athletes.

Andrew Smith, 1801 Quail Ridge Dr., Klamath Falls, OR (will be present to read)
My name is Andrew Smith. I graduated from KU in 2000, and have owned a business in Klamath Falls since 2008. I have two children who attend Roosevelt elementary and will attend Ponderosa and KU. I am a strong believer in the city school system and also in the importance of athletics as a tool to help build character, resilience and life skills for our students.
I have noticed a marked improvement in the athletic department’s engagement with the community over the past three years. The ability to host youth YMCA basketball games has been a benefit to the community and an opportunity to showcase KU’s beautiful athletic facilities to a wider audience. There have also been weekly basketball skills clinics on Sunday evenings for elementary-aged city school students. My children have benefited from both of these opportunities and have been excited by the chance to play on the courts they will use in their high school years. The resurgence of the booster club and more emphasis around promoting and celebrating KU’s success in athletics and academics have also been very positive changes. I commend the athletic department, teachers, coaches and volunteers who have made this all happen.
These are the types of activities and outreach that build a broad base of support throughout the community. Support that is vital to fundraising and buy-in from the tax base in passing bonds in the future. KU is a fantastic school, the progress in the athletic department over the past three years is remarkable. A drastic change in direction and leadership would be a huge blow to our students and the support that is building in the community. We have a great thing going at KU, and I encourage us to celebrate this and work together to keep climbing that hill.

Traci Freid, 3830 Beverly Dr, Klamath Falls, Oregon
We appreciate the time and effort you dedicate to ensuring the best possible education for our students. We recognize that your role is challenging, and we thank you for your continued commitment to our students and schools.
As engaged parents and community members, we’d like to highlight some positive strides made at KU and express our concerns about the disconnect between administrative perception and public sentiment.
In recent years, KU has fostered deeper collaboration between home and school through initiatives such as the Boosters, clean-up days and informational family nights. These activities not only strengthen the school community but also instill a sense of pride and responsibility among students, parents, and staff alike.
We have also seen improvements in student accountability, with efforts to address poor attendance, tardiness, unsatisfactory grades, and negative behaviors such as vaping. Many parents and coaches have witnessed these actions firsthand and appreciate the dedication to fostering a culture of responsibility.
However, none of these developments happen without strong leadership. The disconnect between administrative evaluations of this leadership and public perception needs to be addressed. If we want our district to be a place where guidance and development are prioritized, then we must ensure that this approach applies to both students and staff, with clear, consistent practices.
Community support is essential for school success, and public mistrust can have a lasting impact on future initiatives. We urge you to consider how we can move forward together to bridge this divide. We ask that you listen to those who have witnessed firsthand the positive changes at KU and work toward preserving and building upon the momentum that has been gained.
With collaboration and transparency, we believe KU can continue its upward trajectory and fulfill its potential as a place of academic and personal growth for our students.