Coos Bay Public Schools

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT

Dear Coos Bay School District Staff, Families, and Community,

It is with deep gratitude and excitement that I step into the role of Interim Superintendent for the Coos Bay School District. Having served as a principal in our district, I have had the honor of working closely with many of you, and I am incredibly thankful for the warm support and encouragement shared with me during this transition. It is clear we are united by a deep commitment to our students, schools, and community.

Reflecting on the past year, we have a strong foundation upon which we can build this school year. Together, we made strong strides in student learning, strengthened collaboration across schools, and continued to put students at the center of our work. Our elementary and middle schools experienced positive academic growth, and our focus on ensuring students are on track to graduate has gained momentum. At the high school level, we are particularly excited about our Advanced Placement (AP) passing rates exceeding the public school state average, demonstrating that more students have access to rigorous, college-preparatory opportunities that will support their future goals.

These collective achievements reinforce the strength of our Coos Bay Promise: Each student is known by name, strengths, and needs, and all students graduate with a plan—Enrolled, Employed, or Enlisted (the 3Es). This promise remains our guiding principle as we move forward into the new school year.

We also know that continued progress requires focus and determination. Attendance and early literacy remain areas of critical need, and we are committed to ensuring every student reads proficiently by third grade. At the elementary level, we are targeting foundational reading growth through structured support and progress monitoring. In our middle schools, we are focusing on math achievement, student engagement, and increasing the number of students on track for high school success. At the high school level, in addition to improving graduation rates, we are expanding Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities and strengthening post-secondary planning to ensure every student graduates with a clear and meaningful path—whether that be college, career, or service. These key performance indicators will guide our work and ensure alignment across all schools as we move toward more equitable, effective, and student-centered outcomes.

The 2025-26 school year represents a powerful opportunity to deepen our impact. I look forward to working alongside each of you—staff, families, and community partners—as we continue to build on our successes and rise to meet the needs of every learner in Coos Bay.

With appreciation and shared purpose,

Gary Roberts Interim Superintendent Coos Bay School District