Dear Roseburg families,

One of our most important responsibilities as a school district is to help students see a future for themselves, one that is meaningful, attainable and connected to the community they call home.

For several years, Roseburg Schools has been strengthening career pathways that connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities. These pathways allow students to explore interests, earn college credit, gain industry-aligned skills, and graduate better prepared for college, careers or both. They are developed in partnership with local employers, meet national standards, and are aligned to the workforce needs of Douglas County.

This month, the Roseburg Schools Board of Directors and the Umpqua Community College Board of Directors approved an important next step in that work.

Roseburg Schools is entering into a long-term partnership with UCC to support the new Welcome Center and Medical Careers Hub currently under construction on the college’s campus. Through a one-time, strategic investment, Roseburg High School students pursuing healthcare pathways will have access to dedicated instructional space and expanded programming close to home.

Healthcare is one of our region’s most critical workforce needs. By growing this pathway locally, we are helping students prepare for careers that are deeply meaningful, offer family-supporting wages, and directly support the health and well-being of our community by expanding the local pool of healthcare providers. Increasing skilled workers within healthcare and across other industries means more services available locally and a stronger regional economy. Just as importantly, we are creating opportunities for students to stay local if they choose, learning, training, and ultimately serving the community that raised them.

This partnership builds on success already underway. Roseburg students are earning college credit through dual enrollment, saving families significant tuition costs, and graduating at higher rates when they complete pathway coursework. The Medical Careers Hub allows us to expand those opportunities and reach more students.

We also know the importance of responsible stewardship. This is a one-time investment, funded outside of our general operating budget, and it does not reduce classroom staffing or daily school operations. It reflects long-term planning and a commitment to aligning education with opportunity while maintaining financial stability.

At the same time, we remain focused on our broader responsibilities, including addressing aging facilities, managing rising costs, and planning transparently for the future with our community.

This work reflects a simple belief: When we invest in clear pathways for students, we strengthen our schools, our workforce and our community as a whole. Thank you for your continued support of Roseburg Schools and for believing in the potential of our students.

With appreciation,

Jared Cordon

Superintendent

Roseburg Schools

This month, Roseburg Schools and Umpqua Community College officially solidified a partnership rooted in possibility. With dedicated space for Roseburg High School students on the UCC campus, we are creating new, hands-on healthcare pathways that connect learning to purpose, right here in our community.

This collaboration reflects a shared belief that when students can see where they’re headed, they thrive. By learning in real-world environments and engaging in career-connected opportunities earlier, students gain clarity, confidence and momentum toward their future.

That future is already taking shape in the lives of our alumni. Grads in the Real World is a storytelling series that highlights Roseburg High School graduates who are building meaningful careers, contributing to their communities, and putting their education to work across Douglas County.

You can explore the series on Roseburg Schools’ Facebook and Instagram pages, where we share alumni stories that illustrate the pathways we are paving for today’s students, and tomorrow’s workforce.

Know an RHS graduate doing great things in our community? We’d love to feature them. Email communications@roseburg.k12.or.us to nominate someone to be part of Grads in the Real World.