Roseburg Schools To Receive Nearly $1 Million Annually For Summer Learning Programs

Roseburg Schools will receive full funding through the Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Summer Learning Grant program after initially being left off the state’s approved funding list.

The district said the funding was approved following a state review process involving the Governor’s Office. The three-year grant is expected to provide nearly $1 million per year to support summer literacy and math programs serving more than 1,100 students annually.

“Immediately after learning that funding for summer learning was not initially granted to our district, I contacted the Governor’s Office to express the significant need for these resources in our community,” Superintendent Jared Cordon said. “I’ve seen the incredible things students can accomplish when they have the right support, and I will continue advocating to make sure they have the tools they need to succeed. This is a major win for our students and families. We are incredibly grateful they will now have access to these important learning opportunities, and we’re excited to continue supporting students throughout the summer as we prepare them for a strong start to the 2026-27 school year.”

Summer learning opportunities are designed to reduce summer learning loss and provide additional academic support for students with the greatest needs. Roseburg Schools said student eligibility is based on achievement data, though all incoming kindergarten students will be eligible to participate.

Sign-up information has already been shared with qualifying families of current students. Parents who are unsure about eligibility are encouraged to contact their child’s school for additional information. Registration is required by May 26.

Program dates include:

• Incoming kindergarten students: Mondays through Thursdays, July 20-31
• Students currently in grades K-7: Mondays through Thursdays, July 6-31

Transportation and meals will be provided. Optional afternoon programming will be available through the Boys & Girls Club of the Umpqua Valley for students currently in grades K-7.

Roseburg Schools was initially not included in the state’s approved funding list. Following concerns raised by impacted districts across Oregon about the consistency of the funding process, state leaders expanded funding to include additional qualifying districts, including Roseburg Schools.

The Oregon Department of Education announced Thursday, May 7, that it is adding four school districts to the State Summer Learning Grant program by using unspent resources from the prior biennium. The newly added districts were the next highest-ranked applicants from the original competitive grant process.

The added districts and funding amounts are:

• Douglas County School District 4: $999,216
• Hermiston School District: $1,000,000
• Bethel School District: $900,000
• Corbett School District: $257,838

ODE said the districts will receive funding for summer 2026, with the opportunity for continued support in summers 2027 and 2028, pending legislative appropriation and limitation approval in the 2027-29 biennium, as well as ongoing program review.

“Data shows children benefit greatly from summer learning, and I want as many children as possible to access these incredible programs,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “Thanks to careful budgeting from all parties, we will be able to provide summer learning opportunities to more children than ever.”

According to ODE, the additional funding became available because of timing and fiscal management. House Bill 5047, signed on April 23, 2025, provided money for summer learning programs, but the timing of the biennium meant some funds allocated for summer 2025 were not spent by June 30, 2025. ODE said it will continue monitoring fund usage and plans to request unspent funds if needed to support additional districts and students.

“This approach reflects Governor Kotek’s direction to maximize every dollar dedicated to summer learning,” ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams said. “By leveraging available resources, we are able to increase access for more students now while continuing to build toward broader access statewide.”

Statewide, ODE said funded summer learning programs served 29,739 students in 2025. In 2026, grantees estimate they will serve about 35,000 students, a 17 percent increase.

ODE said demand for summer learning funding continues to exceed available resources. The department said it remains committed to supporting all districts and is working with applicants that did not receive funding to identify other ways to offer summer programming.

Roseburg Schools said additional program details, schedules, and participation information will continue to be shared directly with families in the coming weeks.