February 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM - Regular Board Business Meeting

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

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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.

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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

Description:  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 6.2%, a slight increase from the prior month's projection, indicating a number of cost-saving measures are combining to have a marginal positive impact.

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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.

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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. 

Description:  The Gresham-Barlow Facilities Department received the 2025 Gresham Community Award from the Gresham Fire Department. This award is given for collective excellence in community risk reduction. The shared commitment to improving life-safety for students, staff, and educators serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and public service. 

In addition to the facilities department, the district security coordinator, office secretaries, custodians, and principals play a pivotal role in this work. The administration would like to recognize the work that went into receiving this award. 

Description:  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.

Jeredith Fahnbulleh is a junior at Gresham High School and is currently in her second year with the Women's Wrestling Program. During her first season in 2024-2025, she achieved an impressive list of accomplishments for both herself and the program. Jeredith finished the year with a 24-7 record, became the program's first women's regional champion, and earned a state placing at the Freestyle Wrestling State Championships. She also represented Team Oregon on the national stage this past summer in Fargo, North Dakota at the Freestyle and Greco National Championships. 

This season, Jeredith has picked up right where she left off and has continued to dominate as we head into the regional tournament next weekend at Sandy High School. She currently holds a 23-4 record and has won three tournaments this season, consistently putting on strong and dominant performances. I am excited to see what she can accomplish as we close out the season and move into the regional and state tournaments. 

Description:  March 2-6, 2026, has been designated as Classified School Employees Week. It is appropriate that the board officially acknowledge the importance of a strong local school system and the contribution that classified employees make to that system. A resolution of acknowledgment for that purpose has been prepared for the board's adoption.

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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.

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

Description:  The board will take a brief recess from the meeting. 

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

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

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The Multnomah ESD Programs and Services Proposal was developed by several advisory committees and reviewed by the local district superintendents.

In order for these programs and services to be included in the Multnomah ESD budget, the Local Service Plan must be passed by 2/3 of the districts representing more than 50% of the student population.

The estimated budgets for the proposed programs conform to the guidelines established by the ESD board for the 2026-27 school year budget planning. Acceptance of the proposal does not commit the Gresham-Barlow schools to participate in all of the programs included in the plan. The administration appreciates the flexibility offered by the ESD in its programs, which allows the district to adjust the level of service based upon changing needs of the student population.

Information specific to the 2026-27 MESD services provided for the Gresham-Barlow School District will be summarized at the board meeting. The full proposal (Local Service Plan) is provided with this executive summary.

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This purchase will replace student Chromebooks that have reached the end of their usable life and provide upgrades for a limited number of our interactive flat panels (IFPs) that are no longer working properly.

We sought competitive bids for student computers to ensure we received the best pricing available. The winning bid for student computers was OETC, which is a non-profit consortium that specializes in educational technology procurement and contracts.

Description:  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 6.2%, a slight increase from the prior month's projection, indicating a number of cost-saving measures are combining to have a marginal positive impact.

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

February 12, 2026: Special Board Work Session - 6 p.m.
                                Council Chambers Conference Room
                                Public Safety and Schools Building

February 20, 2026: Board Strategic Planning Session (Retreat) - 8 a.m.
                                Location TBD

March 5, 2026:        Regular Board Business Meeting - 7 p.m.
                                Council Chambers
                                Public Safety and Schools Building

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