Letter to the Editor by Ann Kellogg, published in the World Newspaper, October 2025

To the Editor of The World:

Bandon Schools Are Losing More Than Teachers — They’re Losing Trust

In June, I wrote about my growing concern over the state of the Bandon School District and the loss of trust between teachers, the Superintendent, and a couple principals following acts of retaliation during contract negotiations. Months later, despite a new contract being signed, the situation has only worsened.

My middle school child has now lost three of her four teachers in the past month. Parents warned this would happen. Yet rather than examine the causes, our School Board, Superintendent, and Middle and High School Principals continue to portray a few outspoken teachers and parents as “the problem.”

When more than 85% of teachers vote “no confidence” in the Superintendent, at what point does our elected School Board members take responsibility? Their duty is not to protect administrative egos, rather it is to protect our children’s education. My child has lost 75% of her tenured teachers this term. That is not normal. That is not acceptable.

Enrollment continues to decline, and with it, school funding. The damage is not just statistical but is personal and irreversible for our kids. As retired Lieutenant General Mark Hertling recently said, “Trust is gained in drops and lost in buckets.” In Bandon, the bucket is nearly empty.

It’s time for the school board to act – not by pushing out our teachers, but by holding the superintendent and administration accountable. Not until they do that can trust be rebuilt. Our children deserve nothing less.

Ann Kellogg

Bandon