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GBSD Graphic that says "Gresham-Barlow Board Report"

July 2, 2025 Meeting

Board Members Present: Chair Blake Petersen, Heather Coleman-Cox, Shawn Farrens, Kris Howatt, David Ligatich, Brenna Puderbaugh, and Holly Riegelmann

 

Recognitions

4 board members and superintendent Tracy Klinger at board meeting

Certificates of election were presented to board members elected or re-elected to serve on the board of directors–Heather Coleman-Cox, Blake Petersen, Brenna Puderbaugh, and Holly Riegelmann. The directors took the oath of office at the special work session preceding the meeting.

Superintendent and District Leadership Team Update

Superintendent Klinger congratulated the class of 2025 as they head off to their next adventure. She shared that the district’s high schools graduated over 800 seniors who earned millions of dollars in scholarships and thousands of college credits. She also shared her excitement for the upcoming school year.

She also thanked GBSD’s dedicated staff for their hard work and commitment. Dr. Klinger shared some of the bright spots from 2024-25 to include:

  • Improvements in attendance
  • Gains in literacy and reading scores
  • Increased 9th-grade on-track and graduation rates
  • More students meeting behavioral expectations
  • Strengthening our teaming structures and systems to support students
  • We have the highest number of students earning their seal of biliteracy this year
  • 24 students graduate from the Fastrack Pre-Apprenticeship Program & more than 100 students earn Industry Recognized Credentials (IRCs)
  • Our first group of elementary students in our dual language program will be moving on to middle school 

Dr. Klinger introduced Noah Simonson, who has been selected to be the next principal of East Orient Elementary School. 

She thanked the Board of Directors for their unwavering support as she steps into her new role as superintendent. Dr. Klinger shared her gratitude for the many individuals who have encouraged and provided guidance over the years. She also expressed her love and appreciation to her family and dearest friends.
 

 

Citizens’ Requests of the Board

There were no citizens’ requests of the board
Board Action Banner Graphic

APPROVED, electing Blake Petersen to serve as board chair for 2025-26 

APPROVED, electing Holly Riegelmann to serve as board vice-chair for 2025-26 

APPROVED, accepting the results of the May 20, 2025, board member election as reported by the Multnomah County and Clackamas County elections offices

APPROVED, by one motion, Resolutions 2026-04 through 2026-08 for fiscal year 2025-26

Annual Procedural Business Resolutions

APPROVED, adopting the 2025-26 Regular Board Meeting Schedule for Wednesdays as presented. Board meeting dates will be posted to the GBSD Website Calendar

APPROVED, the amendment to the 2025-27 Memorandum of Understanding between Gresham-Barlow School District and Specialist (formerly Confidential) Staff Members as presented in Addendum A

APPROVED,  changes to Policy EFA - Local Wellness

Policy FF - Naming of New Facilities was sent back to the Policy Committee and Board for further discussion.

Information Items

Monthly Financial Report of 5/31/24

Finance Director Pete Bejarano shared that there has been no significant change in the District’s financial status since the prior month. The 2023-24 ODE SFF reconciliation provided additional revenue realized in May, which is partially offset by additional salary and transportation expenses, but overall marginally increases the size of the District's expected General Fund ending fund balance.

Monthly Financial Report as of 05.31.2025

 
 

Upcoming Meetings

August 21, 2025

Board Strategic Planning Session

8 am to 5 pm

Location: To Be Determined

 

August 21, 2025

Board Summer Social (No Meeting)

5:30 pm to 7 pm

Location: To Be Determined

 

September 3, 2025

Regular Board Meeting

7 pm

District Office
 

Can't Attend Board Meetings?

You can watch regular school board meetings LIVE on the GBSD Website. Look for the link on the homepage in the District News section!

You can also watch regular school board meetings LIVE on Comcast cable channel 27 and Frontier cable channel 35. MetroEast Community Media replays the board meeting at the following times:

Second Showing-Monday at 7 pm.

Third Showing-The following Thursday at 4 pm.

If you live in Damascus-

Board meetings are shown on Willamette Falls TV for patrons in the Damascus area. They are scheduled for cablecast on channel 23 every Saturday at 1 pm.