Gresham-Barlow School District, OR

Regular Board Work Session

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board decided on graduation requirement waivers and curriculum implementation timelines. The board also received updates on the Dual-Language Immersion program and facility use policies.

• Approved a one-year waiver for Senate Bill 3 graduation requirements
• Approved postponing elementary science curriculum implementation until the 2026-2027 school year
• First reading of health curriculum adoption for fall 2025 implementation
• Update on Dual-Language Immersion (DLI) program expansion to middle and high school levels
• Review of Community Use and Rental of District Facilities policy fee structures

Budget Committee Meeting (1 of 2)

The Budget Committee is meeting to review the proposed 2025-26 budget and hear the superintendent's budget message. The committee may approve the budget during this session or defer the action to a subsequent meeting on April 23, 2025.

• Election of John Hartsock as Chair and Dan Corcoran as Vice-Chair
• Presentation of the 2025-26 Proposed Budget and Budget Overview
• Potential approval of the 2025-26 Proposed Budget
• Public comment period regarding the district budget

The Budget Committee elected a Chair and Vice-Chair and received a presentation on the proposed budget. The administration detailed a budget shortfall driven by inflation, declining enrollment, and rising costs for special education and transportation. No vote was taken to adopt the budget during this meeting.

• Elected John Hartsock as Chair (unanimous)
• Elected Dan Corcoran as Vice-Chair (unanimous)

Special Board Work Session

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board of Directors held a special work session on April 2, 2025, to discuss future agenda topics and board operations. The meeting included a procedural vote to approve the agenda and an executive session regarding information exempt from public inspection. The board will reconvene immediately following the work session for a regular business meeting at 7:00 p.m.

• Approved meeting agenda as presented
• Held executive session for information exempt from public inspection
• Discussed future board agenda topics and operations
• Scheduled regular business meeting for 7:00 p.m. following work session
• Held meeting at Public Safety and Schools Building, 1331 NW Eastman Parkway

The board approved the meeting agenda and held an executive session to consider information exempt from public inspection. No other substantive decisions were made during the session.

• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)

Regular Board Business Meeting

The Gresham-Barlow School Board approved a consent agenda including minutes from recent meetings and a monthly financial report. The board also ratified a resolution recognizing April 21-25, 2025 as Volunteer Appreciation Week.

• Approval of minutes from Strategic Planning Session (Feb 28, 2025)
• Approval of minutes from Budget 101 (March 19, 2025)
• Monthly Financial Report as of 02/28/2025
• Personnel Report: Employee Contracts
• Policy Update (4 revised policies)

The Board of Education approved the meeting agenda and a consent agenda including financial and personnel reports. The board also ratified resolutions for Volunteer Appreciation Week and Teacher Appreciation Week.

• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda including monthly financial report, personnel report, and policy update (5-0)
• Ratified resolution recognizing April 21-25, 2025 as Volunteer Appreciation Week (5-0)
• Ratified resolution recognizing May 5-9, 2025 as Teacher Appreciation Week (5-0)

Budget 101 Workshop

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board of Education is holding a Budget 101 Workshop to explain the district's budgeting process and the role of the budget committee. The meeting will include a presentation and a question-and-answer session for committee members.

• Budget 101 Workshop presentation
• Question and answer session for budget committee
• Meeting held at Center for Advanced Learning (CAL)
• Meeting held via Zoom and in-person

The Budget Committee held a workshop to review general fund trends, revenue sources, and the budget timeline. No formal votes or policy decisions were made during this session.

• Reviewed budget timeline including April 9 Budget Committee meeting and June 4 budget hearing
• Discussed $8.7 million reduction in operating expenses for 2025-26 to avoid an operating deficit
• Reviewed declining enrollment trends and increasing per-pupil costs

Regular Board Work Session

The Gresham-Barlow School Board will hold a work session covering budget planning for 2025-2026, including estimated ending fund balances, and a request from Gresham Arthur Academy to increase its pass-through funding from 80% to 90%. First readings of integrated grant renewals and policy revisions are on the agenda, with no formal action required. The board will also discuss a possible resolution opposing Senate Bill 936, which could affect land use appeals for a nearby water treatment facility.

• Integrated Grants Renewal first reading (no action required)
• Policy Review first reading for four policies including Board Member Standards of Conduct and Sick Time
• Budget update on 2025-2026 ending fund balance planning
• Gresham Arthur Academy request to increase pass-through from 80% to 90%
• Discussion of resolution opposing Senate Bill 936 regarding water treatment facility siting

The board held a work session to review the Integrated Grants Plan and several policy updates, both of which are scheduled for approval at the April business meeting. The board also received a presentation on inclusion 'bright spots' from the District Equity and District Advisory Committees.

• Approved meeting agenda with Item C1 moved to the first topic (4-0)

Supplemental Budget Hearing

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board will hold a public hearing to discuss a supplemental budget required due to a change in accounting methodology for PERS bonds. The board will vote on the budget during a subsequent business meeting.

• Public hearing on 2024-2025 Supplemental Budget
• Public testimony on budget items
• Board vote on budget scheduled for March 5, 2025 business meeting
• Meeting held at Public Safety and Schools Building, 1331 NW Eastman Parkway
• Meeting held via Zoom and in-person

The board conducted a hearing to receive public testimony regarding a supplemental budget intended to move one line item to a different category based on an audit recommendation. No members of the public provided testimony. No votes were taken during this hearing; the item was scheduled for approval at a subsequent business meeting.

Regular Board Business Meeting

The board is reviewing a three-year contract for Dr. Tracy Klinger as Superintendent starting July 1, 2025. The meeting also includes a review of the January monthly financial report following a $9.38 million state fund withholding.

• Three-year contract for Dr. Tracy Klinger as Superintendent
• January 2024-25 Monthly Financial Report
• $9.38 million withheld State School Fund
• Employee contracts and personnel reports
• Policy updates regarding emergency procedures and drills

The Board approved the meeting agenda and a consent agenda that included financial reports, policy updates, and the superintendent's contract. The Board also separately approved the Personnel Report regarding employee contracts after a discussion on probationary and contract status.

• Approved meeting agenda (6-0)
• Approved consent agenda including financial report, policy update, and superintendent contract (6-0)
• Approved Personnel Report: Employee Contracts (6-0)

Board Strategic Planning Work Session (Retreat)

The board is conducting a work session to review 16 policy revisions and discuss 2025-2026 budget planning. The meeting includes updates on high school programming, winter academic data, and special education services.

• First reading of 16 policy revisions including Superintendent contracts and emergency procedures
• Discussion of 2025-2026 budget planning
• Update on high school programming including CTE, AP, AVID, and Senate Bill 3
• Review of the GBSD Inclusion Plan progress
• Discussion of a bond endorsement request from Mt. Hood Community College

The Board held a strategic planning work session to review policy updates, high school graduation pathways, and student academic performance data. No substantive policy changes were voted on, as items will move to a future consent agenda.

• Approved the meeting agenda (6-0)

Special Board Work Session

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board of Directors held a special work session on February 5, 2025. The board approved the meeting agenda with a motion to remove an executive session item. The session included a presentation on the 2023-24 financial audit by KDP Certified Public Accountants and a discussion on future board agenda topics.

• Approved meeting agenda with removal of Item C (Executive Session)
• Presented 2023-24 financial audit by KDP Certified Public Accountants
• Discussed future board agenda topics and operations
• Held executive session for personnel discussion (closed to public)
• Provided Zoom link for virtual attendance

The board reviewed a budget audit that resulted in an unmodified opinion, the highest level of assurance. Discussion focused on internal control deficiencies and a corrective action plan to align recording practices with GAAP. No substantive votes were taken other than approving the meeting agenda.

• Approved meeting agenda with removal of Item C (6-0)

Regular Board Business Meeting

The Gresham-Barlow School Board approved a consent agenda including minutes from January meetings and a monthly financial report. The board also recognized Dr. Dawn Joella Jackson with the Tom Ruhl Ally Award.

• Approval of minutes from January 8, 11, and 22, 2025
• Monthly Financial Report as of 12/31/2024 with ending fund balance of $19.3M
• Personnel Report: Employee Contracts for licensed and administrator positions
• Approval of Classified School Employees Week, March 3-7, 2025
• Recognition of Dr. Dawn Joella Jackson with the Tom Ruhl Ally Award

The Board approved the consent agenda, including personnel contracts and financial reports. Members designated March 3-7, 2025, as Classified School Employees Week. The Interim Superintendent reported a projected budget gap between $7 million and $11 million.

• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda including minutes, financial report, and employee contracts (5-0)
• Approved March 3-7, 2025, as Classified School Employees Week (5-0)

Regular Board Work Session

The Board of Directors conducted final interviews with three candidates and reviewed community feedback from a 'Day in the District' event. Following an executive session, the board voted to appoint a new superintendent.

• Appointment of Dr. Tracy Klinger to the position of Superintendent, pending contract negotiations

The Board of Education reviewed stakeholder feedback from the superintendent finalists' 'Day in the District' and conducted interviews with candidates. No final selection was made during the session, as any future action remains pending contract negotiations.

• Approved meeting agenda (6-0)

Special Board Work Session

The Gresham-Barlow School Board held a special work session on January 11, 2025, primarily to recess into an executive session to consider the employment of a public officer under ORS 192.660(2)(a). The board also approved the meeting agenda and announced upcoming regular meetings. No decisions are made in executive session.

• Executive session to discuss employment of a public officer (ORS 192.660(2)(a))
• Approval of the meeting agenda
• Announcement of next meetings: Jan 22 regular work session, Feb 5 regular business meeting

The board held a special work session and entered an executive session to consider the employment of a public officer. Following the session, Chair Howatt announced that three candidates were selected as finalists for the superintendent position.

• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
• Selected three finalists for superintendent position

Regular Board Business Meeting

The board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from prior meetings, a monthly financial report, and a personnel report with licensed new hires. The board also recognized teacher Alisha Phillips for her National Board for Professional Teaching Standards recertification. As part of approving the agenda, the board handled a vacant vice-chair position.

• Monthly financial report as of November 30, 2024, with projections pending audit and licensed staff retro pay
• Personnel report recommending licensed new hires for the 2024-2025 school year
• Approval of minutes from December 4 and December 18, 2024 meetings
• Recognition of Alisha Phillips, Powell Valley Elementary teacher, for NBPTS recertification
• Vacant vice-chair position addressed during agenda approval

The board approved the meeting agenda and a consent agenda including previous meeting minutes, a financial report, and employee contracts. The session included reports on student support services, a healthy and safe schools plan, and updates on the superintendent search.

• Approved meeting agenda with additions for vice-chair nomination and vacant position posting (6-0)
• Approved consent agenda including Dec 4 and Dec 18 minutes, 11/30/2024 financial report, and personnel contracts (6-0)

Special Board Work Session

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board will hold a special work session, starting with an executive session closed to the public to discuss real property transactions and personnel matters under Oregon law. Following that, the board will reconvene for a public work session to discuss future agenda topics and board operations. The meeting is primarily procedural, with no votes on substantive policy or spending items.

• Executive session to negotiate real property transactions and discuss personnel
• Discussion of future board agenda topics and meeting needs
• Approval of the meeting agenda as a routine action item

The board held a special work session that primarily consisted of an executive session to negotiate real property transactions. No substantive decisions were made outside of the approval of the meeting agenda.

• Approved meeting agenda (6-0)

Regular Board Work Session

The board will vote to approve a tentative agreement with the Gresham‑Barlow Education Association covering July 1 2024 through June 30 2027. Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates will present the Superintendent Search Leadership Profile Report summarizing interview and focus‑group input. The board will hold an executive‑session discussion on the possible employment of a public officer and will discuss future agenda topics and board operations.

• Approve tentative agreement with GBEA (July 1 2024 – June 30 2027)
• Presentation of Superintendent Search Leadership Profile Report by Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates
• Executive session to consider employment of a public officer (ORS 192.660)
• Discussion of future board agenda topics and board operations
• Approve meeting agenda (motion carried)

The Board of Education approved a tentative collective bargaining agreement with the Gresham-Barlow Education Association. The agreement is effective from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027. The board also reviewed a leadership profile report for the ongoing superintendent search.

• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
• Approved tentative agreement with Gresham-Barlow Education Association for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 (5-0)

Special Board Work Session

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board will meet in a special work session, starting with a closed executive session to discuss negotiations (ORS 192.660(2)(d)). Following the closed session, the board will reconvene publicly to discuss future agenda topics and board operations. No votes or decisions are scheduled in the work session.

• Executive session for negotiations under ORS 192.660(2)(d), closed to the public
• Discussion of future board agenda topics and meeting needs

The board approved the meeting agenda and held an executive session to discuss negotiations. No other substantive decisions were made during the session.

• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)

Regular Board Business Meeting

The Board is meeting to approve routine consent items, including financial reports and personnel contracts. The session includes updates to seven district policies and recognitions for Sam Barlow High School athletics.

• Monthly Financial Report as of 10/31/2024
• Personnel Report for 2024-2025 licensed new hire employee contracts
• Policy updates for Nondiscrimination, Superintendent and Administrator evaluations, First Aid, Student Health Services, Infection Control, and Safety Threats
• Public comment submitted by Bill Martin regarding Justice

The Board of Education approved the meeting agenda and a consent agenda including financial reports, personnel contracts, and policy updates. The meeting featured recognitions for Sam Barlow High School sports teams and a farewell to retiring Superintendent James Hiu.

• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda including minutes, 10/31/2024 financial report, personnel contracts, and policy updates (5-0)

Regular Board Work Session

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board approved the meeting agenda and is reviewing proposed policy changes and a draft resolution for a school support fee related to Gresham's Enterprise Zone. The session also included presentations on academic data and social-emotional learning.

• Approved meeting agenda
• Policy review: First reading of 7 revised policies
• City of Gresham Enterprise Zone School Support Fee: First reading
• Fall Academic Data Review presentation
• Transformative Social Emotional Learning (SEL) update

The board approved the meeting agenda and conducted first readings of several policy updates and a proposed city support fee. No final action was taken on the enterprise zone fee or the policy changes, which are scheduled for future meetings.

• Approved meeting agenda (6-0)
• Tabled Policy Review (Nondiscrimination, Superintendent/Administrator Evaluation, First Aid, and Safety Threats) to December 4, 2024
• Tabled City of Gresham Enterprise Zone School Support Fee decision to December 4, 2024

Special Board Work Session

The Gresham‑Barlow School District Board met for a special work session on November 6, 2024. After approving the agenda, the board entered an executive session to discuss negotiating real property transactions and information exempt from public inspection under ORS 192.660. The board then reconvened to discuss future agenda topics and announced the regular board business meeting at 7 p.m. on the same day.

• Approve meeting agenda (motion carried).
• Executive session to negotiate real property transactions (ORS 192.660(2)(e)).
• Executive session to consider information exempt from public inspection (ORS 192.660(2)(f)).
• Discussion of future board agenda topics and board operations.
• Announcement of regular board business meeting at 7 p.m., Council Chambers, Public Safety and Schools Building.

The board approved a motion authorizing the board vice-chair to provide a written response to three complaints filed against the board chair under Policy KL. The meeting also included an executive session regarding real property transactions and exempt information.

• Approved meeting agenda (7-0)
• Authorized board vice-chair to provide written response to three complaints against the board chair (7-0)

Regular Board Business Meeting

The board is meeting to approve a consent agenda including monthly financial reports and new employee contracts. The session also includes a first reading of policy updates regarding cybersecurity and sexual harassment.

• Monthly Financial Report as of 09/30/2024 showing a projected ending cash balance of $14.6 million
• Approval of employee contracts for licensed and administrator new hires for 2024-2025
• First reading of policy updates for EHB Cybersecurity, GBN/JBA Sexual Harassment, and GBNAB/JHFE Reporting of Suspected Abuse of a Child
• Public comments from Bill Martin on government accountability and Juani Santiago regarding a former GHS Principal

The Board of Education approved the meeting agenda and a consent agenda that included the September 2024 financial report, employee contracts, and policy updates. The session featured reports on district safety and nutrition services, as well as updates on high school turf field installations.

• Approved meeting agenda (7-0)
• Approved consent agenda including minutes from six previous meetings (7-0)
• Approved Monthly Financial Report as of 09/30/2024 (7-0)
• Approved Personnel Report: Employee Contracts (7-0)
• Approved Policy Update (7-0)

Special Board Work Session

The Board of Directors will meet in executive session to consider the employment of an interim superintendent. Following that session, the board will reconvene to discuss upcoming agenda topics, operations, and meeting needs.

• Executive Session: Consider the employment of a public officer (Interim Superintendent)
• Discussion: Future board agenda topics, operations, and meeting needs

The board approved the meeting agenda. The majority of the session was spent in a closed executive session to consider the employment of a public officer; no substantive decisions were recorded in the public session.

• Approved meeting agenda (7-0)

Special Board Work Session

The board approved the meeting agenda with an addition for the interim search process. It then held a discussion with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates to plan the superintendent search, covering tools, confidentiality, community engagement, and the search timeline. The board also discussed future agenda topics and provided announcements about the next regular board meeting on November 6, 2024.

• Approve meeting agenda (motion carried).
• Superintendent Search Planning discussion with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates.
• Discussion of future board agenda topics.
• Announcement of November 6, 2024 regular board business meeting at 7 p.m., Council Chambers, Public Safety and Schools Building.

The Board of Education coordinated with HYA Associates to establish the superintendent recruitment process, including focus group structures and advertising. The board set a date for first-round interviews and determined how to handle candidate surveys and advertising packages.

• Approved meeting agenda with addition of interim search discussion (7-0)
• Selected National Advertising Package 1 and postings with ALAS and NABSE
• Determined no residency requirement for the new superintendent
• Scheduled first-round interviews for January 11, 2025
• Scheduled leadership profile report and candidate slate review for December 4, 2024
• Decided to use a Google survey for high school students instead of the HYA survey

Regular Board Work Session

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board approved the meeting agenda and reviewed proposed policy revisions regarding cybersecurity and harassment. The session included an informational presentation on the City of Gresham's Enterprise Zone and an overview of legislative priorities for the 2025-2027 sessions.

• Approved meeting agenda
• Policy review: First reading for cybersecurity and harassment policies
• Information: City of Gresham Enterprise Zone presentation
• Information: Legislative priorities for 2025-2027
• Executive session: School safety matters

The board approved the meeting agenda and reviewed several proposed policy updates, including a new cybersecurity policy. The board also discussed the City of Gresham's Enterprise Zone school support fee but deferred a decision pending more data.

• Approved meeting agenda (7-0)
• Moved policies on cybersecurity, suspected child abuse reporting, and sexual harassment to the November Business meeting consent agenda
• Tabled decision on Enterprise Zone local school support fee until November 20, 2024

Special Board Work Session

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board will discuss the qualifications, timeline, and process for appointing an interim superintendent to serve from January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025. The meeting also includes an executive session regarding negotiations and school safety.

• Executive session for negotiations and school safety
• Discussion of interim superintendent qualifications and timeline
• Review of draft qualifications for interim superintendent
• Upcoming agenda topics and board operations
• Approval of meeting agenda

The board held a work session to discuss the qualifications, timeline, and process for hiring an interim superintendent. No formal votes were taken on the search criteria, though the board reached a consensus on the posting duration.

• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
• Reached consensus to keep the interim superintendent job posting open for one week