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

Description: 

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

Description: 

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.

Description: 

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 6.4% a decrease from the prior month's projection by 4 tenths of a percent.

Description:  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.

Description: 

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: 

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.

Gresham High School senior, Elaina Nielsen, was selected to be on the All-State First Team for Dance.

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 students.

At the Oregon DECA State Competition, Gresham High School Junior Jordan Zollman-Haris placed 2nd in Food Marketing.

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

The following students were recognized at the Oregon State Thespian Festival for their performances:

• Seniors Terry Arnold Munoz and Maggie Zelinka for their Duo Musical "Dangerous Game" from Jekyll and Hyde
• Senior Destiny Nderitu with her Contrasting Monologues
• Sophomores Joy Ferber and Madison Pucher

The following students were recognized for their work in Solo and Duo Acting at MHC District Acting Competition:

Showcase Select: (Top Scores at Districts)

• Solo Acting: Lina McCormack (Sophomore)

• Duo Acting: Joy Ferber and Madison Pucher 

Superior Acting (Top 10%)

• Solo Acting: Joy Ferber

• Duo Acting:
  Seniors Morgan Israelsson and Michael Nedelisky,
  Juniors Eira Grimsted and Chloe Barnes,
  Sophomores Zane Wood and Lina McCormack,
  Pepper Anderson (Junior) and Liam Arnold Muñoz (Senior)

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.

Gresham High School Basketball Mt Hood All Conference
Kareem Artharee - Senior - 1st Team Boys Basketball 
Ter’Rae Foster - Sophomore - 2nd Team Boys Basketball
Jakai Pippa-White - Sophomore - Honorable Mention Boys Basketball
Jeremiah Pichon - Senior -  Honorable Mention Boys Basketball 
Naomi Richards - Freshman - 1st Team Girls Basketball 
Lute Falepapalangi - Freshman - Honorable Mention - Girls Basketball 
Skyla Hansen -  Senior - Honorable Mention - Girls Basketball 
Jojo Tubania Askay - Senior - Honorable Mention - Girls Basketball 
Kaleeah Keeton - Senior - Honorable Mention - Girls Basketball

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.

Wrestling All Conference 

Gordon Taitingfong - Junior - 1st Team 
Jorge Docasal Olguin - Senior - 1st Team 
Jeredith Fahnbulleh - Junior - 1st Team
Elijah Culbertson - Senior - Honorable Mention
Danny Benitez - Junior - Honorable Mention 
Jason Scott - Sophomore - Honorable Mention
Ethan Fogarty - Senior - Honorable Mention
Abiel Gonzalez Cruz - Senior - Honorable Mention
Ronald Menyfield - Sophomore - Honorable Mention
Akira Menyfield - Junior - Honorable Mention

Jeredith Fahnbulleh - Junior - 2nd Place finish at the OSAA Wrestling State Championships

Description: 

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

Gresham High School junior, Sloane Esler, earned Best of Show at the Mt. Hood Community 2026 MHCC Visual Arts Annual High School Art Exhibit.

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 Sam Barlow High School theatre students.

The Sam Barlow High School Theatre program participated in the State Thespian Festival that took place on April 9th-11th.

The students below were named State Champions in the Large Group Musical category:

Bella Schroeder, Freshman
Elsie Wood, Senior
Grace Bayles, Freshman
Jade Matheny, Senior
Jai Jointer, Sophomore
Josie Williams, Senior
Kamryn Michaelsen, Senior
Lauren Gayken, Sophomore
Lee Sare, Junior
Lucius Lopez, Freshman
Nico Spillett, Senior
Noah Sou, Sophomore
Spencer Neighorn, Senior
Ty Rosenblad, Senior
Violet Ross, Junior
William Baumgarden, Sophomore

With Contrasting Monologues, senior Nico Spilett received perfect scores.

One-Act Marathon students performed Bang, Bang You're Dead and received a Superior Trophy:

Alanna Lozzi, Junior
Alex Swartz, Junior
Anna Crump, Sophomore
Bella Schroeder, Freshman
Connor Clark, Junior
Elli Cheney, Freshman
Emily Behnke, Junior
Emma Cunningham, Freshman
Grace Bayles, Freshman
Grant Cynor-Ford, Senior
Isabelle Jensen, Senior
Jake Forrest, Senior
Jai Jointer, Sophomore
Leah Stanberry, Sophomore
Levi Reynolds, Sophomore
Mya Krein, Freshman
Nico Spillett, Senior
Paige Capitano, Junior
Raelyn Jensen, Freshman
Rubye Osmon, Freshman
Sophia Massey, Junior
Spencer Neighorn, Senior
Truth Salamone, Sophomore

Theatre Director Jeff Schroeder was awarded Oregon Thespians Theatre Teacher of the Year. The award honors a theatre teacher who demonstrated exceptional and inspirational teaching of secondary school theatre to students in all aspects of the craft (acting, directing, playwriting, design/tech, costume). The honoree also positively impacts the theatre education community statewide. 

Description: 

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

Sam Barlow High School Skills USA students participated in the ProStart Team Competition on March 2nd.

The students had to design a 3-course menu that had to be made in 60 minutes with 2 burners, and no electricity. They earned 2nd place:

Mason O'Brien, Senior
Ethan Quintero, Senior
Ayla Armitage, Senior
Cole DeBra, Sophomore
Naia Llona, Sophomore

Sam Barlow High School also participated in the Skills USA State Leadership and Skills Conference on April 10th-11th. Below were how the students placed in each category.

Baking and Pastry
Maggie Zielinski - Senior - 3rd place
Naia Llona - Sophomore - 5th place

Culinary Arts
Cole DeBra - Sophomore - 3rd place

Restaurant Services
Cole DeBra - Sophomore - 2nd place
Gael Marin-Solis - Junior - 3rd place

Description: 

The recently-negotiated collective bargaining agreement with the Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) is being presented for board approval at tonight’s board meeting. Negotiated contract language has been incorporated into a new three-year collective bargaining agreement that will cover the years 2026-2027 through 2028-2029. Board approval will represent the board’s ratification of the 2026-2029 collective bargaining agreement.

The OSEA and the district used an interest-based approach to negotiations. This approach focuses negotiations teams on determining shared interests and working collaboratively together to identify solutions based on those interests.

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

Description: 

The Gresham-Barlow Education Foundation has identified the following dates for 2025-26 reports to the school board: 

October 2, 2025
January 8, 2026
March 5, 2026
May 7, 2026 

Accordingly, a Foundation representative will be present this evening to provide an overview of recent Foundation activities.

Description: 

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.

Description: 

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

Description: 

In compliance with ORS 338.095 (2), Gresham Arthur Academy (GAA) must submit a report to the district and the State Board of Education each year on the performance of the school and its students in the preceding fiscal/school year. This report must include, among other things, information regarding the goals and assessments relating to student performance, and a look forward at the school year ahead.

Representatives from Gresham Arthur Academy will be at the board meeting to present their report.

Description: 

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

Description: 

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

Description: 

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) reviewed instructional materials in 2025 and formally recommended materials to meet the needs of the district's social science classrooms. The materials currently in use are not aligned with the newly adopted Oregon social science standards.

District adoption teams have reviewed curriculum options, piloted materials, and obtained student and parent feedback. The board received an overview of the curriculum adoption process at their April 23, 2026 Work Session. The curriculum is being presented to the board for a second reading.

The K-2 adoption team is proposing to adopt MacGraw-Hill, Wonders/Maravillas, our current literacy curriculum, as our social science curriculum for grades K-2. The adoption team is also proposing the purchase of picture books as supplemental materials. The supplemental materials picture books are expected to cost up to $20,000.

The grades 3-5 adoption team is proposing to adopt Teachers’ Curriculum Institute (TCI), Social Studies Alive! The TCI, Social Studies Alive! 7-year subscription for the elementary level grades 3-5 is expected to cost no more than $346,000.

The middle school adoption team is proposing to adopt Teachers’ Curriculum Institute (TCI), History Alive! The TCI, History Alive! 7-year subscription for the middle school (grades 6-8) is expected to cost no more than $445,332.

Description: 

The proposed tuition and student fees for fiscal year 2026-2027 are detailed on the supplemental materials and highlighted below:

We have chosen to make no changes to fees across all grade levels.

The K-12 tuition for non-resident students has increased from $11,139 to $11,608.

The administration recommends the board review and approve the proposed fees and non-resident tuition for 2026-2027 as presented.

Description:  Board Policy DBDB - Fund Balance states that the "Board directs the superintendent to manage the currently adopted budget in such a way to ensure an ending fund cash balance of at least eight percent (8%) of total adopted expenditures." The current projected ending fund balance is below 8%. 

In order to be in compliance with board policy, the board needs to pass a resolution allowing for the ending fund balance to be lower than the 8% approved in policy. 

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 6.4% a decrease from the prior month's projection by 4 tenths of a percent.

Description: 

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

May 13, 2026:  Budget Committee Meeting (2 of 2) - 6 p.m.
                         Council Chambers
                         Public Safety and Schools Building

May 21, 2026: Board Work Session - 6 p.m.
                        Council Chambers Conference Room
                        Public Safety and Schools Building

June 4, 2026:  Budget Hearing - 6:45 p.m.
                        Council Chambers
                        Public Safety and Schools Building

June 4, 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.