Pinehurst School District Letter to the Community - October 2026
By Deb Evans
October 2026
Greetings Greensprings Friends and Neighbors,
Greetings Greensprings Friends and Neighbors,
It is my honor, on behalf of the Pinehurst School Board, to share that we finished a wonderfully successful school year last year led by our capable teaching and administrative team, and have hit the ground running this fall welcoming 12 students 1st through 6th grade.
The Back-To-School-Night in September was once again filled with parents, students, staff and community members enjoying a fun scavenger hunt, a chance to view curriculum, and hear about field trips and activities for the new school year.
The Back-To-School-Night in September was once again filled with parents, students, staff and community members enjoying a fun scavenger hunt, a chance to view curriculum, and hear about field trips and activities for the new school year.
A priority of the School Board and Administration has been to secure continuity through maintaining the exceptional instructional staff at Pinehurst. We are excited to share that our head teacher, Bethany Anderson, our two dedicated instructional assistants—Amanda Holbo and Chrissy Hoffman, PE instructor, John Elder, and culinary instructor Barbara McHugh have all returned to teach for the 2026-2027 school year, along with Terri Ayers as our librarian. This continuity has provided undivided attention for our students leading to the exceptional learning that takes place at our small, rural school. We are lucky to have these individuals as well as our crackerjack administrative team of District Administrator Emily Cozza, Office Manager John Elder and Business Manager Jeanetta Woodside from Southern Oregon Education Service District. Custodian Patty Walters and building and groundskeeper, Baker McDonald, round out our support staff and keep the facilities safe, efficient and conducive to learning!
Pinehurst School received a three-year Summer Learning Program grant enabling us to offer a three week, four-days-a-week fun-filled, hands-on learning experience this past July focused on Norse Mythology and interspersed with three days of summer camp activities at YMCA’s Camp DeBoer. This program has been a great way to continue learning over the summer and provide opportunity for fun, social interaction for Greensprings 1st-6th graders. The program is fully funded through the summer of 2028 and is open to all Greensprings children entering 1st through 6th grades, whether attending Pinehurst, private school or are homeschooled, at no cost.
As we enter the second month of the current school year, I remain grateful for the tremendous support of our Greensprings community. For decades, Pinehurst School has served as an important liaison between Greensprings families with children and broader community members. On that note, I want to give a shout out to all of you who have continuously shown whether to volunteer in the classroom, attend school plays and art showcases, serve on committees, boards or the Pinehurst School Foundation—all of these engagements are vital to the success of our school and our students. We encourage and welcome each of you to bring your talents--whether weekly, monthly or every now and again--to share. We believe firmly that it takes a village to raise our Greensprings children to be wise, thoughtful, knowledgeable, competent, caring and engaged citizens.
One way you can engage is to visit the BRAND NEW Pinehurst School District website at www.pinehurst.k12.or.us. This will give you a taste of our school community, our District goals, what goes on at Pinehurst, a way to sign up to volunteer, what are the Pillars of a Pinehurst Learner and MUCH MORE!
We are proud of our brand new playground, installed last November, and are thrilled that the next generation of Greenspringers ages 0-5 have been holding weekly playdates, spearheaded by Keri Stewart, and utilizing the playground and gym. This group of parents has inspired the Pinehurst leadership to look at starting a District-sponsored preschool and after school care program for families. Stay tuned!
Pinehurst, with the generous support of the Pinehurst School Foundation, remains on solid financial footing--offering many enrichment programs that include library, art, music, outdoor education and field trips. The school is grateful for the Foundation and community support.
As many of you heard earlier this year, Pinehurst School District was the recipient of a Community Renewable Energy Program grant from Oregon Department of Energy. We have been completing the permitting process and hope to begin construction before the close of the year that will power 100% of the District’s electrical needs and provide backup power enabling the school to serve as an emergency resilience hub for the community in an extended power outage or catastrophic event. This microgrid system will allow Pinehurst School to supply critical community services such as water, charging, heat, cooking, refrigeration, internet, communications and shelter.
Thank you for your continued support, and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts concerning Pinehurst School. It is a one-of-a-kind, exceptional school and resource in our community and I, along with the entire school board, look forward to working with you to ensure it fulfills that role for years to come.
In gratitude,
Deb
Deb Evans
Pinehurst School Board Chair
15337 Highway 66
Ashland, OR 97520