Gresham-Barlow School District public meetings in 2025
15 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
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
🗳️ How they voted — 1 divided vote
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)
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
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)
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
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)
🗳️ How they voted (3 roll-call votes)
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)
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
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)
🗳️ How they voted (4 roll-call votes)
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)
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
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)
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
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)
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
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)
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
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
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
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)
🗳️ How they voted (3 roll-call votes)
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)