May 26, 2026

Good morning Douglas County! Here are today's updates live from the Roseburg Receiver Communications Center.

Roseburg Public Schools is preparing to make about $4.5 million in budget reductions for the 2026-27 school year, a decision district leaders say is being driven by declining enrollment, rising costs, reductions in some grants and the need to maintain a balanced, sustainable budget.

The reductions will include some staffing changes. District officials said most of the staffing adjustments are being handled through retirements and resignations, though approximately 19 employees, representing less than 3 percent of the district’s workforce, are being affected by layoffs.

The announcement is significant for the Roseburg community, where schools are not only places of learning, but also gathering places, support systems and part of the daily lives of thousands of families, staff members and students.

Superintendent Jared Cordon said one of his most important responsibilities is ensuring Roseburg Schools remains financially strong while continuing to provide students with the care, support and instruction they need.

“Each year, our School Board adopts a balanced budget that reflects our commitment to living within our means while protecting the programs and services that matter most to students and families,” Cordon said in a message to families.

According to the district, Roseburg Schools is facing several financial pressures at the same time. Student enrollment has declined over time, which reduces the amount of funding the district receives from Oregon’s State School Fund. At the same time, costs tied to employee retirement benefits, inflation and some state and federal grant reductions are placing additional pressure on the budget.

District officials said those financial challenges are not unique to Roseburg. School systems across Oregon are navigating similar issues, including lower enrollment, higher operating costs and budget reductions. Officials also pointed to broader demographic trends, including declining birth rates across the country, which have contributed to long-term enrollment shifts for school districts statewide.

In a message provided to The Roseburg Receiver, Roseburg Schools said rising fuel costs continue to affect transportation expenses, food costs have increased significantly and operational expenses across the board continue to climb.

“Like families and businesses throughout our community, districts have to make adjustments to ensure revenue and expenditures remain balanced and sustainable,” the district said.

Cordon said the largest part of the district’s budget is dedicated to the people who serve students each day, which means some staffing adjustments are necessary to keep the budget balanced.

“These decisions are never easy, because our employees are more than staff members, they are people we care deeply about,” Cordon said. “They are part of the Roseburg Schools family and part of the heart of what makes our schools such special places for students.”

He added that he is deeply grateful for the care, compassion and commitment employees bring to their work each day, and for the difference they make in the lives of students and families across the district.

Despite the reductions, Cordon said families should not expect widespread increases in class sizes.

“I want to reassure families that we expect to maintain class sizes within or below our target ranges for most grade levels,” he said. “We are also preserving the many positions added in recent years to support students' academic, social, emotional and behavioral wellbeing.”

One of the district’s central points is that Roseburg Schools is serving nearly 700 fewer students than it did a decade ago, but still employs more staff and more licensed educators per student than it did at that time.

Cordon said the district’s focus remains on providing high-quality learning opportunities for students. He said Roseburg Schools will continue to pursue grants and other opportunities that strengthen educational programs, support students and expand opportunities across schools.

“Roseburg Schools remains financially stable, and these adjustments reflect proactive planning to ensure we continue operating responsibly and sustainably for years to come,” Cordon said. “We are also committed to maintaining healthy financial reserves.”

District officials emphasized that Roseburg Schools remains in a stronger financial position than many neighboring districts because of careful financial planning in recent years. The district said the reductions are difficult, but reflect proactive stewardship and a long-term effort to keep the district stable and sustainable.

“We’re trying to approach this with as much transparency, care, and context as possible so families and staff understand both the challenges we’re facing and the work being done to continue protecting student opportunities while responsibly managing district resources,” the district said.

Cordon acknowledged that school finance can feel complicated and said the community deserves clear information about how public funds are used to support students and operate schools. Additional information is available through Roseburg Schools’ budget information page and the district’s most recent Annual Financial Report.

Cordon closed his message by thanking families for their continued support.

“Together, we will continue to provide exceptional opportunities for students while planning responsibly for the future,” he said.

The district also provided answers to several questions families and community members may have as staff, parents and community members process the news.

Why Is The District Reducing Staff?

The district said declining enrollment reduces state funding, while costs related to retirement benefits, inflation and some grant reductions continue to rise. Roseburg Schools must adopt a balanced budget each year.

Why Are Jobs Still Being Posted?

According to the district, some vacancies require specific licenses or endorsements, are funded through restricted grants, or are needed to meet specialized student and program needs. Positions created by retirements and resignations may also still need to be filled.

Will This Affect My Child's Education?

The district said it expects to maintain class sizes within target ranges for most grade levels and is preserving many student support positions. The goal is to minimize impacts on students.

Why Was A Specific Employee Affected?

Personnel decisions involve contractual processes, licensure requirements and staffing needs across the district. Individual employee circumstances are confidential, the district said.

Could Reserves Have Prevented These Layoffs?

The district said financial reserves are intended to protect against emergencies and unexpected revenue changes. Using all reserves to avoid necessary adjustments would create greater financial challenges in future years.

What Happens To Teachers Who Are Laid Off?

Under the collective bargaining agreement, teachers affected by layoffs have first rights to available positions that open over the next two years.

Is The District Financially Stable?

The district said yes. Officials said the adjustments are being made to maintain a balanced budget and ensure Roseburg Schools remains financially strong over the long term.

How Can Families And Community Members Help?

The district said one of the most meaningful ways to support students is by getting involved in schools. Volunteers can help by reading with students, assisting in classrooms, supporting events and mentoring young people. While volunteers do not replace professional staff, the district said they are an important part of the partnerships that help students thrive.

Roseburg Schools also pointed to similar budget conversations happening in other Oregon districts, including recent reporting from OPB on proposed budget cuts in the Eugene School District and The Oregonian/OregonLive on why districts across Oregon are facing deep cuts despite additional state money.

Central Douglas Fire & Rescue crews responded Saturday morning to a reported structure fire at an apartment complex in Winston.

Crews were dispatched at 11:53 a.m. Saturday, May 23, to the 200 block of Gregory Drive after a fire was reported on a second-story balcony. According to CDF&R, the apartment’s occupant heard smoke alarms sounding and smelled smoke.

Residents at the apartment complex used several fire extinguishers to help control the fire before firefighters arrived.

When the first crews reached the scene, they found light smoke coming from the second-story balcony. Firefighters extended one hose line and extinguished the remaining hot spots.

The fire was contained to the exterior balcony area and did not spread further into the structure.

No injuries were reported among firefighters working the scene.

Central Douglas Fire & Rescue responded with four engines and one command unit. Crews were assisted at the scene by Avista Gas and Pacific Power.

Central Douglas Fire & Rescue crews responded Sunday morning to a reported RV fire on Cobb Street in Dillard.

Crews were dispatched at 8:11 a.m. Sunday, May 24, after a recreational vehicle was reported on fire. According to CDF&R, the first crews to arrive found a camp trailer fully involved in flames.

The fire also spread to a few nearby trees.

Firefighters extended hose lines and were able to extinguish the fire and contain it to the immediate area. Several other recreational vehicles nearby were saved and did not sustain fire damage.

Overhead power and communication lines were damaged by the fire.

No injuries were reported among firefighters working the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Central Douglas Fire & Rescue responded with three engines and one command unit. Crews were assisted at the scene by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Avista Gas and Pacific Power.

Firefighters from Central Douglas Fire and Rescue and the Roseburg Fire Department responded Monday afternoon to a reported barn fire on Harlan Street.

Crews were dispatched at 12:46 p.m. Monday, May 25, after reports that a barn was on fire, nearby trees were burning and an additional storage structure was beginning to catch fire.

When firefighters arrived, they found two barn-style sheds on fire, along with a large tree. The shed where the fire started was a total loss. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames and limit damage to the second structure to exterior damage only.

Central Douglas Fire and Rescue responded with three fire engines and a command unit. The Roseburg Fire Department responded with one fire engine and a command unit.

In total, 14 paid and volunteer personnel responded to the fire.

Limited Time Events

• Guest Artist Dave Hall Exhibit @ Gallery Northwest | May 3nd - June 30th | Every week Tue - Sat | 11 am - 4 pm | Link
• Wellness Walk | Every Saturday Through September | 9am at the Thrive Umpqua office in Roseburg (556 SE Jackson)

Monday, May 25th

• DJ Trivia Night @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7 pm
• Open Mic Night @ Little Brothers Pub | 6 - 8 pm
• Celebrate Recovery | Westside Christian Church | Dinner at 5:30, Large group at 6:30.
• Monday Night Auxiliary Bingo | Winston VFW | 4:30 pm | must have papers by 5:30, $17 for all games.

Tuesday, May 26th

• Bingo @ Roseburg Elks Lodge #326 | 6:30 pm
• DJ Bingo @ Workman's Bar and Smokehouse | 6 pm
• DJ Trivia @ Urban NY Pizza & Grill | 7 pm
• Free Line Dancing Lessons - Elements Lounge @ Seven Feathers Casino Resort | Every week on Tuesday | 7 - 9 pm | Link
• Open Mic Night @ Kodiak Bar & Grill | Every week on Tuesday @ 6 - 8 pm
• Tuesdays! Free Line Dancing Lessons at Elements Lounge in Seven Feathers Casino Resort | 7 - 9 pm | Link
• Celebrate Recovery | Winston Assembly of God | Dinner at 5:30, Large group at 6:30.

Wednesday, May 27th

• DJ Trivia @ Backside Brewing Co. | 6 - 7:30 pm
• Karaoke/Open Mic Night @ Idle Hour Tavern | 9 pm - 12:30 am
• Open Mic at Brix | Every Wednesday | 6 - 8 pm
• Trivia Night @​ Lookingglass Brewery | 6 - 9 pm
• Trivia Night @​ Little Brothers Pub | 6 pm
• Bingo @ Roseburg Senior Center | (Every Wed and Fri) - Doors Open at 5 pm, starts at 6:30 pm. Food available. Ages 7+. $1 for non-members.
• Celebrate Recovery | Redeemers (Old movie theater) | Dinner at 5:30, Large group at 6:30.
• Wednesday Night Karaoke with Mr. Michael | Winston VFW | 5 - 9 pm| 21+
• Group Meet - Knitting of Any Kind | Studio Arts Connection (1350 NE Stephens, Roseburg) | 1 - 3:30 pm | Knitting, crochet, hand quilting felting spinning, etc
• Canyonville Farmer's Market | Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm at Seven Feathers Casino Parking Lot | May - October
• Downtown Roseburg Clean-Up | 5 - 6 pm | Link
• Live Music: Bob Hall @ Two Shy Brewing | 6 - 8 pm | Link

Thursday, May 28th

• DJ Trivia @ North Forty Beer Company | 7 - 8:30 pm
• Kick Up the Dust - Line Dancing Lessons @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7 - 8 pm
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday and Saturday | 8 pm
• DJ Bingo @ Brix Bar & Grill | 7 - 9 pm
• Thirsty Thursday Cornhole Night @ Lookingglass Brewery | Every week on Thursday | 6 - 8 pm | Link
• Al-Anon Meeting in Oakland (Weekly) | Oakland Ice House - 212 Lucust St | 2 - 3 PM
• Trivia Night @ Trella | 6:30 pm | Link

Friday, May 29th

• Friday Pizzas! @ Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards | 12 - 4 pm
• Karaoke Night @ Winchester Pub & Grill | 8 - 11 pm
• Karaoke Night @ Workman's Bar and Smokehouse | 9 pm - 12 am
• Bingo @ Roseburg Senior Center | (Every Wed and Fri) - Doors Open at 5 pm, starts at 6:30 pm. Food available. Ages 7+. $1 for non-members.
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday | 8 pm
• Friday Night Live Music | Winston VFW
• Group Meet - Open Painting Watercolor and Small Acrylic | Studio Arts Connection (1350 NE Stephens, Roseburg) | 1 - 3:30 PM
• Fifth Friday: Downtown Food Drive & Art/Vendor Walk | Link
• Live Music: Widespread Haze @ North Forty Beer Company | 6 - 8 pm | Link

Saturday, May 30th

• Umpqua Valley Farmers Market | 9 am - 1 pm | SE Jackson St | Link
• Roseburg Saturday Farmers Market | 2525 W Harvard Ave | 9 am - 2:30 pm | Link
• Karaoke Night @​ Brix Bar & Grill | (Every Saturday) @ 7 - 10 pm
• Karaoke Night @ Lookingglass Brewery | 6 - 8 pm | Link
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday | 8 pm
• Saturday Night Karaoke with DJ Dan | Winston VFW | 5 - 9 pm | 21+
• Dark Disco feat. Le Mal & Graveyard Gossip @ The Rosebud Theatre | 7 pm | Link
• Live Music: Cover Culture @ Two Shy Brewing | 6:30 - 8:30 pm | Link
• One Ohana, One Heart @ Aviva Health | 5 - 8 pm | Link

Sunday, May 31st

• DJ Trivia Night @ Brix Bar and Grill | Every Sunday | 6 - 8 pm
• Live Music: Delgani String Quartet @ Centerstage Theater at Umpqua Community College | 3 pm | Link
• Live Music: Flashlite @ Melrose Vineyards | 3 - 5 pm | Link
• Umpqua Youth Chorale Spring Concert @ Roseburg High School - Rose Theater | 4 pm | Link

• We now have 20,906 Facebook group members!! Thank you all so much for being here!
• There is now an opportunity to advertise your local business with The Roseburg Receiver! If your company is interested, please email info@theroseburgreceiver.com. Your ad will be featured in The Roseburg Scoop emails, videos, website, and much more.
• Project Skywatch is still underway to get deployed in the Spring; however, more funding is still required. To donate, become a business sponsor, or read more information of Project Skywatch, visit https://www.theroseburgreceiver.com/project-skywatch/

The Roseburg Receiver is powered by the community. If you have local news, helpful information, an incident update, or an upcoming event to share, please email us at info@theroseburgreceiver.com so others can stay informed.

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That is the scoop for this Tuesday morning. Have a great day!

- The Roseburg Receiver Team