Baker School District Exchange Student Housing to Become Transitional Staff Housing
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – (Release from the Baker School District) Baker School District leadership continues to make tangible operational shifts as a result of their budget process for the coming school year. In light of the recently adopted 2023-24 budget priorities and the cost of ongoing upkeep and support, a major change is in motion for the two houses that were purchased to house a number of the district’s exchange students in the current school year.
During the current school year, the two houses were filled; but the use of host families has always been preferred to the extent possible, as it results in the most positive experience for both exchange students and local families. Given this preference and the level of support that is required to provide housing to students, the district looked closely at the best use for these houses in the coming school year.
“We continue to find that housing is often elusive when we try to bring staff into the area,” says Superintendent Erin Lair. “We are still exploring the best use of the house on Washington Street; but the house on Second Street is set up well for transitional co-ed housing for up to 5 recruited teachers, including student teachers, who don’t identify another housing option right away. The school district would charge an affordable rent, and the support costs of renting to adults are much less than those required to house high school students.”
Baker School District is still seeking host families for exchange students planning to visit during the coming school year. Interested hosts should contact Dr. Tom Joseph by email: Thomas.Joseph@bakersd.org
