Last week was a busy week for education news in Wallowa County, and there’s no sign that the pace will let up anytime soon.

This might be the week when the Enterprise School Board seals a deal with its new superintendent: The two finalists for the job spoke at a well-attended meet-and-greet session on Thursday, and the board made an offer to one of the candidates after the session — but board members didn’t announce their choice publicly, wanting to be sure that they had a signed deal in hand. In the meantime, if you want to learn more about the two finalists, Chieftain reporter Bill Bradshaw attended Thursday’s session and filed this report about what they said. Of course, if we get an update on that story before our Wednesday print edition runs, we’ll post the news first on our website, wallowa.com.

Enterprise School was in the news last week for another reason: It was among the victims of a statewide series of hoax phone calls falsely reporting school shootings. These so-called “swatting” calls are intended to draw a large number of emergency services to a particular address. (The word “swatting” is a reference to SWAT teams.) Law enforcement officers and school officials did a good job of ensuring that the school was safe. This particular hoax came two weeks after authorities discovered a handwritten message on a bathroom stall at Joseph Charter School warning of a school shooting. The swatting call was a hoax, and it’s almost certain that the Joseph school threat isn’t credible, but officials simply aren’t able to take anything for granted these days, so investigation continues. 

Meanwhile, Chieftain reporter Josh Rindfleisch filed a report last week about how the national shortage of substitute teachers is playing out in Wallowa County schools. The upshot: They’re getting by, but a few more substitutes would be welcome. Read his story by clicking here. 

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s edition, we’re working on a variety of other stories — our goal is to cover, as best we can, all the news that’s happening across the county. And I’ll be working this week on the 2023 edition of the Chieftain’s “Discover Wallowa” publication, the annual visitor guide to the county. As in years past, the publication will include an updated list of “82 Things to Do in Wallowa County.” If you have a favorite thing to do in the county, tell me about it by dropping me an email at mmcinally@wallowa.com. (If you want to save your favorite thing for yourself, I understand; send me your second-favorite thing.) If time and space allow, I might be able to find room for your suggestion in this year’s guide. The finished product will be available later this year.

And speaking of emails, I always welcome your comments, thoughts and story suggestions. As some of you already know, it can take me a few days to respond, but I try to answer each comment. 

Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank the Chieftain’s subscribers: We simply would be unable to do this vital work without your support.