August 25, 2026

TO: Staff, Students, Parents, Guardians, and Community Members

RE: Lowell School District Justification for the Decision Not To Restore Lost Student Instructional Time as Required by Executive Order 26-06 and OAR 581-022-2323

On April 16, 2026, Governor Tina Kotek issued Executive Order 26-06 to protect and restore student instructional time in Oregon schools, taking action to prioritize academic outcomes and ensure every student has access to consistent, high-quality learning. According to Section 4.c. of the order, "If a district, at the direction of their board, chooses not to restore lost student instructional time, the district must publicly explain the justification for that choice." OAR 581-022-2323 was adopted by the State Board of Education to codify and implement the executive order.

Student instructional time is defined in OAR 581-022-2323 as " the total hours students are in school, bell-to-bell, including recess, lunch, passing time, and instruction."

Amount of Student Instructional Time Reduced in 2025-26 and/or 2026-27 SY

The district adopted a 4-day school week for the 2026-27 school year to provide more consistent instruction to students. Rather than having a partial day on Friday, the district opted to increase the number of hours to each school day and utilize a 4-day week. The district is still well over the required number of hours and does not use any professional development or conference time in determining the number of hours.

Amount of Student Instructional Time Planned for the 2027-28 SY

12: 1129

7-11: 1156

K-6: 1129

Justification

On August 24, 2026, the Lowell School District School Board approved the decision not to restore lost student instructional time for the following reason(s): The District is still over the required number of instructional hours.

Sincerely,

Scott Yakovich
Superintendent
Lowell School District