As the school year comes to an end, children are looking ahead to summer vacation. Graduations are over, and the Siskiyou Union High School District is launching Board Planning Meetings — open to staff, students, and the public — to consider how to maintain its four high schools as the budget declines.
Siskiyou Union High School District Superintendent Marie Caldwell says the district is still maintaining comprehensive programs at all four sites and remains committed to college and career programs at each school. Despite declining enrollment, Caldwell says there are no changes planned for next year. The district expects 167 students at Weed High School, 247 at Mt. Shasta High, 45 at Happy Camp High, and just two at McCloud High School.
This past school year, McCloud High School Principal Yolanda Sanchez-Alves split her time between schools.
Leeroy John Conway, and Valedictorian Kayrisa Mylie Burris graduated from McCloud High School on June 3rd. (Shareen Strauss)
McCloud High School held its 2026 graduation ceremony on June 3 in the school gym. More than 100 people attended to support the four graduates. Kayrisa Mylie Burris, who plans to attend College of the Siskiyous to study administrative justice, graduated as the school’s valedictorian and received two scholarships during the ceremony — one from American Legion Post 92 and another from the McCloud Garden Club. Leeroy John Conway graduated a year early and plans to continue his education at College of the Siskiyous. Sadie Jo Hunt and Hayden Matthew Thomas were the other two graduates.
McCloud High School will have just three instructors next year. In addition to the principal, Megan Hogue will continue teaching English, film studies, forensic psychology, and history, and Sati Shah will continue providing academic support. Other staff include custodian Todd Daurte, who maintains the school and grounds; Jacob Stevens, an instructional aide who also handles food service; and Emily McIntyre, the school secretary. Andrea Stock serves as wellness coach, and Mason Mekeel is the Simpson Upward Bound advisor. Pamela Price, who taught forestry, math, band, and sustainable living, is moving to teach in Dunsmuir, which is in a different district.
These rural schools are working hard to continue supporting their rural communities.
