Clear Lake Community Center: A Lesson in Collaboration
Time: Noon to 1:15 pm
Venue: WOW Hall
291 West 8th
Eugene, Oregon
97401
- Join the Livestream
- YouTube
- Podcast
We will meet at the WOW Hall, 291 W 8th. Learn more: https://wowhall.org/about-us/. Walk, ride a bike or take the bus. You may park on the street or in the parking lot of FOOD for Lane County's Dining Room, across 8th from the WOW Hall. A freewill donation acknowledging the Dining Room's generosity may be made at the meeting.
Lunch will be available for $15.
Topic:
When the leaders of Bethel School District recognized that the Clear Lake Elementary School campus no longer served its best and highest purpose as a public school, community members came together to develop a new purpose for this valuable resource. In this program, a panel of those closest to this work will describe their highly collaborative process. Superintendent Kraig Sproles will explain how the district determined that changing the use of the building was a prudent choice. He will give a broad overview of the several groups that now call Clear Lake home. Brian Hynd, a Clear Lake parent and neighborhood leader, will describe how the neighborhood association participated in the decision-making. Shelly Ivey and Drae Charles will discuss two of the programs their organizations now offer in the building.
Speakers
Title: Executive Director
Organization: Eugene-Springfield NAACP
Website: https://naacplanecounty.org/
Biography:
The following biography is provided by the panelist and edited for length/proofreading
Drae Charles is the Executive Director of the Eugene-Springfield NAACP and a member of the board of the Bethel School District. He also contributes his expertise through the Oregon School Boards Association’s Legal Assistance Trust and the Oregon Governor’s Racial Justice Council. A community builder at heart, Drae centers his work on strengthening systems, advancing equity, and creating sustainable pathways for justice and belonging. He has founded multiple community-based initiatives, including the Oregon Sharks Rugby Academy, the Eugene Rugby Football Club, and the Co-op Family Center’s Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council.
Title: parent/board member
Organization: Bethel area organizations
Website:
Biography:
The following biography is provided by the panelist and edited for length/proofreading
Brian Hynd is a Bethel School District parent and member of the boards of Bethel School District, the Bethel Education Foundation, and Active Bethel Community. He has lived in the Bethel area for eight years. His priorities include community building for a better Bethel, budgeting responsibly, supporting professional staff, nurturing early literacy, and strengthening career and technical education programs, and engaging with his neighbors to get much needed services to the area. He works as a wine salesperson for Handcrafted Wines and Spirits of Oregon and he enjoys the local wine and food scene. He earned an associate degree in aviation science and a commercial pilot’s license at Lane Community College.
Title: Executive Director
Organization: Boys & Girls Clubs of Emerald Valley
Website: https://www.bgcev.org/
Biography:
The following biography is provided by the panelist and edited for length/proofreading
Shelly Ivey is the Executive Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Emerald Valley. She is dedicated to enhancing community support through strategic initiatives, partnerships, and innovative programs. Shelly also serves as the Treasurer for the Bethel Education Foundation and is a member of the Rotary Club of Eugene. Her career includes roles at Faith Center and Eugene School District 4J before joining the Boys & Girls Clubs in 2020. Her extensive background in communications, resource development and community engagement has been instrumental in driving the Club’s growth and success. She earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Oregon and an MBA at Bushnell University.
Title: Superintendent
Organization: Bethel School District
Website: https://www.bethel.k12.or.us/
Biography:
The following biography is provided by the panelist and edited for length/proofreading
Kraig Sproles has served as the Bethel School District superintendent since Fall 2021. Prior to joining the Bethel community, he served as an administrator and teacher in several Oregon school districts. He began his teaching career in Oregon as a middle school science/math teacher and later served as a principal at three elementary schools and then as the assistant superintendent in Salem-Keizer Public Schools. Kraig earned a PhD in education at the University of Oregon, where he studied school conditions that encourage teachers and students to flourish by establishing strong relationships, finding their learning meaningful, and experiencing joy.
