Morning Lookout: Enrollment crisis in local public schools, musician Meredith Adelaide

It’s supposed to be another hot one today. Summer lingers, Eugene and Springfield!

Where are all the kids? Lilly St. Angelo has been tracking what’s behind the enrollment crisis in local public schools. Declining birth rates, the high cost of housing in the area and the rise of alternative education post-COVID are all contributing.

Also in education, Sheldon celebrates an award-winning music teacher who made an appearance on “Good Morning America,” and South Eugene has to cancel its football game this Friday due to injuries.

Musician Meredith Adelaide sees parallels between her earlier baking career and getting her first solo album, “To Believe I’m the Sun,” out of the oven. Like making a croissant, it was a process that took some time. Culture writer Annie Aguiar reports.

Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch has filed to run for reelection and faces a political newcomer in the race. The seats of Commissioners Ryan Ceniga and David Loveall are also up for election next year.

Finally, Grace Chinowsky has been in Portland covering the fall meeting of the UO board of trustees. Yesterday’s session shed a little more light on last week’s layoffs.

In case you missed these stories published Monday…
• Trial date set for driver of car in fatal crash on Amazon Trail
• Upcoming UO recruitment cycle will be ‘one of the toughest,’ official says
• Eugene home prices doubled over the past decade

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Where are all the kids? Family choices result in fewer children in local public schools

By Lilly St. Angelo

Declining birthrates and high living costs in Eugene and Springfield are driving an enrollment crisis in local schools, and the rise of alternative education post-COVID is also a contributing factor.

UO officials outline impacts of layoffs, cuts after $29 million budget reduction

By Grace Chinowsky

Provost Christopher Long and Chief Financial Officer Jamie Moffitt told trustees on Monday how last week’s budget cuts could reshape services and staffing across campus.