Reynolds Sch. Dist.

Emergency Messages as of 12:26 AM, Wed. Apr 29

No information currently posted.

Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from Reynolds Sch. Dist..

Manage my existing Subscription

News Release

Reynolds School District Leaders Deeply Disappointed After Receiving Zero Summer Learning Funds From State - 04/28/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2026
 

Reynolds School District Leaders Deeply Disappointed After Receiving Zero Summer Learning Funds from State


Fairview, OR — Reynolds School District  leaders are expressing deep frustration following today’s announcement of Oregon’s 2026 to 2028 State Summer Learning Grant awards, in which the district received zero funding.
 

This outcome stands in stark contrast to the state’s own stated priorities and the urgent needs of Reynolds students.
 

The Oregon Department of Education has repeatedly emphasized that summer learning programs are essential for accelerating academic growth, strengthening literacy, and closing opportunity gaps for students furthest from educational justice. State leaders have described these programs as critical to helping students build confidence and continue growing through meaningful academic experiences. Yet despite these stated goals, Reynolds School District has been excluded entirely from funding.

“This is not just disappointing. It is unacceptable,” said Superintendent Frank Caropelo. “The state says summer learning is essential for students who need it most. Then it turns around and leaves districts like Reynolds with nothing.”
 

Reynolds Education Association president, Jeffrey Fuller, added, “This decision is devastating for kids. Families and kids depend on summer school. Not just for education, but many students rely on summer school programming for food as well.” 
 

Last year, Reynolds was ranked number one by the Oregon Department of Education as the district most in need of summer school funding and received the maximum allocation of $1 million. The district's summer programming served over 1000 students and was fully aligned with state priorities, including operating the state’s only Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program. That program is specifically designed to integrate the life experiences and literature of Black, Brown, and Indigenous students, creating culturally responsive learning environments that the state has repeatedly said are critical to student success.
 

Reynolds’ summer programs have consistently delivered measurable, life changing outcomes for students. Last summer alone, more than 40 students completed the credits needed to graduate from high school. Many of those students were the first in their families to earn a high school diploma.
 

“These are not abstract programs. These are real students whose lives are changed by access to summer learning,” Superintendent Frank Caropelo said. “We are talking about first generation graduates who crossed the finish line because of these opportunities.”
 

“This decision ignores both the data and the results,” Caropelo said. “When the state’s highest need district, with proven outcomes and fully aligned programs, receives zero funding, it raises serious questions about whether this process is actually delivering on the state’s commitment to equity.”
 

The new grant model shifted from a formula based allocation to a competitive process that directs limited funds to a smaller number of applicants. While the state frames this as a way to prioritize need, the result is lacking. Districts, like Reynolds, Parkrose and Gresham-Barlow, with some of the highest needs in Oregon are now left without any support at all.
 

The complete loss of funding now compounds existing financial challenges and directly limits the district’s ability to serve over 1200 students who need additional academic support the most.
 

Fuller said, “The state is turning its back on the very students crushed by decades of a broken school funding formula. We know summer school helps bridge the gap between poor and wealthier students. This decision suggests Salem is comfortable growing that gap.” 
 

“We've been planning for summer school since January. Handing millions of additional dollars to districts that already receive more funding through local option levies and a broken state school formula is just one more gut punch to the families of East Multnomah County.” Caropelo said.
 

Superintendent Caropelo along with the Reynolds Education Association is calling on state leaders to immediately review the allocation process and ensure that districts serving high need student populations receive meaningful access to summer learning funding.
 

“We hope the state takes a hard look at this decision,” Caropelo said, “and ensures that districts like Reynolds are not shut out of opportunities that make a real difference for kids.”

Reynolds School District Leaders Deeply Disappointed After Receiving Zero Summer Learning Funds From State - 04/28/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2026
 

Reynolds School District Leaders Deeply Disappointed After Receiving Zero Summer Learning Funds from State


Fairview, OR — Reynolds School District  leaders are expressing deep frustration following today’s announcement of Oregon’s 2026 to 2028 State Summer Learning Grant awards, in which the district received zero funding.
 

This outcome stands in stark contrast to the state’s own stated priorities and the urgent needs of Reynolds students.
 

The Oregon Department of Education has repeatedly emphasized that summer learning programs are essential for accelerating academic growth, strengthening literacy, and closing opportunity gaps for students furthest from educational justice. State leaders have described these programs as critical to helping students build confidence and continue growing through meaningful academic experiences. Yet despite these stated goals, Reynolds School District has been excluded entirely from funding.

“This is not just disappointing. It is unacceptable,” said Superintendent Frank Caropelo. “The state says summer learning is essential for students who need it most. Then it turns around and leaves districts like Reynolds with nothing.”
 

Reynolds Education Association president, Jeffrey Fuller, added, “This decision is devastating for kids. Families and kids depend on summer school. Not just for education, but many students rely on summer school programming for food as well.” 
 

Last year, Reynolds was ranked number one by the Oregon Department of Education as the district most in need of summer school funding and received the maximum allocation of $1 million. The district's summer programming served over 1000 students and was fully aligned with state priorities, including operating the state’s only Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program. That program is specifically designed to integrate the life experiences and literature of Black, Brown, and Indigenous students, creating culturally responsive learning environments that the state has repeatedly said are critical to student success.
 

Reynolds’ summer programs have consistently delivered measurable, life changing outcomes for students. Last summer alone, more than 40 students completed the credits needed to graduate from high school. Many of those students were the first in their families to earn a high school diploma.
 

“These are not abstract programs. These are real students whose lives are changed by access to summer learning,” Superintendent Frank Caropelo said. “We are talking about first generation graduates who crossed the finish line because of these opportunities.”
 

“This decision ignores both the data and the results,” Caropelo said. “When the state’s highest need district, with proven outcomes and fully aligned programs, receives zero funding, it raises serious questions about whether this process is actually delivering on the state’s commitment to equity.”
 

The new grant model shifted from a formula based allocation to a competitive process that directs limited funds to a smaller number of applicants. While the state frames this as a way to prioritize need, the result is lacking. Districts, like Reynolds, Parkrose and Gresham-Barlow, with some of the highest needs in Oregon are now left without any support at all.
 

The complete loss of funding now compounds existing financial challenges and directly limits the district’s ability to serve over 1200 students who need additional academic support the most.
 

Fuller said, “The state is turning its back on the very students crushed by decades of a broken school funding formula. We know summer school helps bridge the gap between poor and wealthier students. This decision suggests Salem is comfortable growing that gap.” 
 

“We've been planning for summer school since January. Handing millions of additional dollars to districts that already receive more funding through local option levies and a broken state school formula is just one more gut punch to the families of East Multnomah County.” Caropelo said.
 

Superintendent Caropelo along with the Reynolds Education Association is calling on state leaders to immediately review the allocation process and ensure that districts serving high need student populations receive meaningful access to summer learning funding.
 

“We hope the state takes a hard look at this decision,” Caropelo said, “and ensures that districts like Reynolds are not shut out of opportunities that make a real difference for kids.”