Blake Petersen, Chair
Holly Riegelmann, Vice-Chair
Heather Coleman-Cox, Director
Dr. Shawn Farrens, Director
Kris Howatt, Director
Brenna Puderbaugh, Director
Erasto Sedda, Director
Dr. Tracy Klinger, Superintendent

We acknowledge that the land where Gresham-Barlow School District is located rests on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, bands of the Chinook, and many other Tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River. We also acknowledge the systemic policies of genocide, relocation, and assimilation that still impact many Indigenous/Native American families today. As settlers and guests on these lands, we respect the work of Native Nations, leaders and families and make ongoing efforts to center Indigenous knowledge, creativity, resilience, and resistance. We consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us here today. 
   
   
Reconocemos que la tierra donde está ubicado el Distrito Escolar Gresham-Barlow descansa sobre las tierras ancestrales y no cedidas de Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, bandas de Chinook y muchas otras Tribus que establecieron sus hogares a lo largo del río Columbia. También reconocemos las políticas sistémicas de genocidio, reubicación y asimilación que todavía afectan a muchas familias indígenas/nativas americanas en la actualidad. Como colonos e invitados en estas tierras, respetamos el trabajo de las naciones, los líderes y las familias nativas y hacemos esfuerzos continuos para centrar el conocimiento, la creatividad, la resiliencia y la resistencia indígenas. Consideramos los numerosos legados de violencia, desplazamiento, migración y asentamiento que nos traen aquí hoy.

3 minutes per guest / 15 minutes total

Time has been set aside on the agenda for Citizens’ Requests of the Board. This is an opportunity for the Board to listen and learn from the community. Board members are not able to respond to public comments during the meeting, but appreciate hearing your input. Public comments can be submitted in writing before the meeting, or given in-person during the meeting. Pursuant to Oregon House Bill 2560(3)(a), the meeting of the Gresham-Barlow School Board will be presented online to allow for virtual public attendance at the meeting. If you are a member of the community and wish to provide a written public comment, please use the Citizens Comments to the Board form and email your comments to the board secretary, Sarah Avery, at avery4@gresham.k12.or.us by 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. If anyone in the audience wishes to address the board in-person this evening, there are yellow "Citizens' Requests of the Board" forms on the table in the back of the room; please complete a form and give it to the board secretary, Mrs. Avery. 

Public Comments Submitted Including Topic:
1. NAME - Topic

The District's financial position and cash flow projections remain stable, with minimal changes since last month's report. Current projections are to have an Ending Fund Balance of 6.8%, an increase from the prior month's projection, indicating a number of cost-saving measures are combining to have positive impacts.

ORS 332.075(2)-(3), states that, "All contracts of the school district must be approved by the district school board before an order can be drawn for payment." This includes the provision of labor performed by employees of the district. In addition, Board Policy GB, General Personnel Policies, provides that, "The employment contract of candidates to fill licensed and contracted positions will be approved by the Board upon the superintendent’s recommendation."

Salary placement for licensed and administrator positions will follow the terms of the established collective bargaining agreement with the labor association and memorandum of understanding with the administrator group. These agreements are available on the District website.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS:  
1. Licensed New Hires for 2025-2026, Recommended for Hire

Changes to the policies recommended by the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA), district staff, and the Policy Review Committee were presented for first reading at the March 12, 2026 board work session.
 

Policy	Title
Policy JOA	Directory Information
Policy IKJ	Artificial Intelligence (AI)

All items listed are matters considered by the board to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. The motion requires a second and a vote. There will be no separate discussion of items on the consent agenda unless a member of the board requests specific items be removed from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda. 

In an effort to recognize students who achieve highly in school activities and academic programs, tonight the Board has the opportunity to recognize state level achievements of Gresham High School student athletes.

OSAA named three Gresham High School students as 1st Team All-State individuals for Cheerleading:

Maggie Zelinka, Senior
Kady Green, Junior
Daelynne Perez, Junior

In an effort to recognize students who achieve highly in school activities and academic programs, tonight the Board has the opportunity to recognize state level achievements of Sam Barlow High School student athletes.

Conference Champions Boys Wrestling:
126 lbs - Leon Richard - Junior
150 lbs - Froylan Mendez - Junior - 4th at State
190 lbs - Layth Qouchbane - Sophomore - 3rd at State

In an effort to recognize students who achieve highly in school activities and academic programs, tonight the Board has the opportunity to recognize state level achievements of Sam Barlow High School student athletes.

Regional Champions Girls Wrestling:
130 lbs - Taylor Ward - Sophomore -  2nd at State (Lost 2-1 in the state final)
120 lbs - Abby Richard - Senior

In an effort to recognize students who achieve highly in school activities and academic programs, tonight the Board has the opportunity to recognize state level achievements of Sam Barlow High School student athletes.

Swimming:
Powell Jacob - Senior  - Conference Champion in 200 and 500 Freestyle - Finished 9th at state in the 200

In an effort to recognize students who achieve highly in school activities and academic programs, tonight the Board has the opportunity to recognize state level achievements of Sam Barlow High School student athletes.

Girls Basketball:
Adia Fancher - Sophomore - 1st Team All Conference and Mt. Hood Conference Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

The District is well-known for its community involvement in public education through its many volunteers. In addition to the usual school-level volunteers, the district offers opportunities in OASIS and SMART programs. 

This year, the week of April 20-24, 2026, has been designated as Volunteer Appreciation Week, and the board is being asked to adopt a resolution acknowledging the contributions of the numerous volunteers who enrich the district's schools and positively impact children and staff.

May 4-8, 2026 has been designated as Teacher Appreciation Week. It is appropriate that the board officially acknowledge the importance of a strong local school system and the contribution teachers make to that system. A resolution of acknowledgment for that purpose has been prepared for the board's adoption.

Time has been set-aside on this agenda for the superintendent to provide a brief update. District leadership members may also provide an overview of current work and upcoming events taking place in the school district.

Time has been set-aside on this agenda for the board members to provide brief updates. 

The Mt. Hood Community College Board of Education and President Dr. Lisa Skari will share a brief update on the college and the recent bond.

The administration will provide an update on the types of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways offered at schools in the district. 

The board will take a brief recess from the meeting. 

This portion of the board meeting agenda has been provided for the presentation of advisory committee minutes. No action or discussion is required by the board; however, there may be occasional reports or discussion regarding work being completed by the committee(s).

This portion of the board meeting agenda has been provided for the presentation of advisory committee minutes. No action or discussion is required by the board; however, there may be occasional reports or discussion regarding work being completed by the committee(s).

A representative from the Gresham-Barlow Education Association (GBEA) will provide a report to the board. 

A representative from the Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) Chapter 8 employees will provide a report to the board. 

As of April 2, 2026, Gresham-Barlow School District is projecting an approximate $10.2 million general fund expense-revenue gap for the 2026-27 school year based upon inadequate funding to support current staffing levels.

As a public agency, the district must comply with ORS 294.456, which requires that adopted expenses not exceed available funds. The district is required to comply with ORS 324.934 as well as collective bargaining agreements in making decisions related to reductions in force.

Gresham-Barlow School District Board of Directors declares that it must lay off staff positions, effective June 30, 2026. 

The Superintendent is authorized to take all actions the Superintendent deems necessary or advisable to implement the reduction in force and layoffs in accordance with all collective bargaining agreements. No further action by the Board is necessary.

This resolution is intended to assist the Superintendent in addressing the unique financial circumstances the district faces for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and does not establish precedent for processing reductions in force in the future.

The District's financial position and cash flow projections remain stable, with minimal changes since last month's report. Current projections are to have an Ending Fund Balance of 6.8%, an increase from the prior month's projection, indicating a number of cost-saving measures are combining to have positive impacts.

The board will review announcements. A Zoom link for virtual meeting attendance will be provided for upcoming meetings.

April 23, 2026: Board Work Session - 6 p.m.
                        Council Chambers Conference Room
                        Public Safety and Schools Building

April 29, 2026: Budget Committee Meeting (1 of 2) - 7 p.m.
                        Partnership Room
                        Center for Advanced Learning

May 7, 2026:    Regular Board Business Meeting - 7 p.m.
                         Council Chambers
                         Public Safety and Schools Building

May 13, 2026:  Budget Committee Meeting (2 of 2) - 7 p.m.
                         Partnership Room
                         Center for Advanced Learning

Estimated time for adjournment: No later than 9 p.m.