Pine Eagle District Seeks Housing Solutions for Teachers After State Funding Falls Through

The Pine Eagle School District already had a one-acre parcel prepared just south of Pine Eagle Elementary School, utilities connected and ready for construction, when the Oregon Legislature's month-long short session ended last week without passing the $800,000 bill that would have funded two duplexes to house teachers in Halfway.

Superintendent Cammie deCastro confirmed March 10 that the proposal failed to advance, leaving the district without a clear path to address a housing shortage that has already cost it at least one hire. About two years ago, a teacher accepted a position with the district but ultimately turned down the offer because no suitable housing could be found in a town of roughly 365 people, 53 miles east of Baker City.

"It's definitely a need for the district," deCastro said. "There's limited housing here."

The affordability problem compounds the scarcity. Houses that come onto the Halfway market typically aren't within reach for a beginning teacher's salary, deCastro said, making the prospect of recruiting new educators an uphill challenge even when candidates are willing to relocate to eastern Baker County. With several staff members planning to retire over the next few years, that challenge is only expected to grow.

"We are anticipating staff retiring, and we have a need for additional housing," deCastro said.

The district had positioned itself to move quickly if the funding came through. The one-acre parcel set aside for the two duplexes is part of a 13-acre property the district purchased several years ago; it sits within the Halfway city limits and has water, sewer and other utilities already in place.

Shane Alderson, chairman of the Baker County Board of Commissioners, testified before the Legislature on behalf of the bill. He said the funding competition during the short session was intense, with dozens of requests submitted statewide, some tied to more pressing infrastructure needs including fire stations. Even so, Alderson signaled he intends to keep pushing.

"But I'm not giving up by any means," he said.

DeCastro echoed that resolve, framing the setback as one chapter in a longer effort. "It's been a long process," she said. "We knew it wasn't going to be quick." She said the district will pursue grants and other funding sources to build the duplexes, though she acknowledged those alternatives are limited.

With the land shovel-ready and the need documented, Pine Eagle's housing problem now waits on whatever funding avenue opens next.