Board Members Present: Chair Kris Howatt, Shawn Farrens, Mayra Gómez, David Ligatich, Blake Petersen, and Holly Riegelmann
Recognitions
Sam Barlow High School Theatre
The school board honored Sam Barlow High School (SBHS) students who participated in the State Thespian Festival. SBHS had 11 categories qualify and perform at the State Championship, all receiving superior level scores from judges.
Students Ania Vilius & Kamryn Michaelsen were the State Champions in the Duo Dramatic Acting category, performing their scene from The Miracle Worker. Student Mason Alley was the State Champion in the Playwriting category for his original play, Worn Out Masks. The Sam Barlow Performing Arts Department was chosen to perform a revival of our musical production of Hadestown at the Oregon State Thespian Festival for over 2500 theatre educators and students at the Historic Elsinore Theater in Salem.
Sam Barlow High School Art
The school board recognized Sam Barlow High School (SBHS) students participating in the Mount Hood Community College High school art exhibition. Chloe Bradley received best in show, Eric Dinsmore received 1st in Composition/Use of Elements, Tay Chamberlain received 2nd in Composition/Use of Elements, Zoe Taylor received Honorable Mention.
Sam Barlow High School Band
The school board honored the Sam Barlow High School (SBHS) Band, which took home a 1st place trophy in the Mt Hood Conference Festival in April, qualifying them to compete at the OSAA State Championships at Oregon State University. Sam Barlow band students represented the school at the OSAA State Solo Contest and the OMEA State Small Ensemble Contest on May 2 and 3. Senior Weston Glover placed 2nd in the state on the French Horn, Junior Emma Nuttall placed second on bassoon.
In the ensemble contest, the Percussion Ensemble placed second (performing a piece written by junior Caleb Frederick). The Woodwind Quartet placed third. The following musicians received All-State recognition: Josh Asplund, Charlotte Baumgarden, Emma Nuttall, Weston Glover, Michael Rapin-Haynes. Emma Nuttall and Weston Glover were named All-NW musicians.
Sam Barlow High School Choir
The school board recognized the Sam Barlow High School Concert Choir, which took home a 1st place trophy in the Mt. Hood Conference Festival in April, qualifying them to compete at the OSAA State Championships at Oregon State University.
The District Champions are: 1st Place, Barlow Sound, Large Mixed Ensemble; 1st Place, Bruin Sound, Large Tenor/Bass Ensemble, 1st Place, Kamryn Michaelsen, Soprano; 1st Place, Josie Williams, Mezzo Soprano; 1st Place, Spencer Neighorn, Tenor. This qualified them for the OSAA State Solo and State Chamber competitions. Junior Josie Williams placed third in the mezzo-soprano vocal category.
The following students received All-State recognition: Keke Briggs, Jackson Hamilton, Alec Moffitt, Nico Spillett, Alex Swartz, Spencer Neighorn, Ania Vilius, Josie Williams.
Gresham High School Choir
The school board honored the Gresham High School choir for its state-level achievements. The students below earned honors at the state solo/ensemble choir competition. Soloists: Morgan Israelsson - 2nd Place, Bass Voice and Maggie Zelinka - 5th Place, Alto Voice. Quartet: Terry Arnold Munoz, Elliott Maxwell, Robin Moran, and Michael Nedelisky - 2nd Place, Small Tenor/Bass Ensemble.
Gresham High School Softball
The school board recognized the conference and state-level achievements of the Gresham High School (GHS) Softball Team. The softball team was named Mt. Hood Conference Champions! They were led by Head Coach Jim Gardenhire, and Assistant Coaches Holly Thorsen, Jack Flitcraft, Elijah Kue, Bryce Granberg, and Janessa Treloggen. The team roster included the following students: Lexi Phebus, Despina Seufalemua, Aspen Scheetz, Maddy Sagapolutele, Alyssa Grover, Daya Nelson, Reese Gardenhire, Melinda Herrejon, Kavehi-Kepanie Tuala, Keira Downing, LaTerra Foster-Frison, Nariah Wagner, Ayden Gardenhire, and Suntaya Riddle.
Gresham High School Track and Field
The school board honored the conference and state-level achievements of the Gresham High School Track and Field Team. Sophomore Mark Tabiolo was the Mt. Hood Conference Champion for Boys Shot Put, which earned him a place as a State Qualifier. Junior Paula Reis also earned a position as a State Qualifier for Girls Discus.
Gresham High School Disc Golf
The school board honored junior Dallas Garber, ranked in the top 100 disc golfers nationally. He started playing disc golf to help his dad build cardio strength following heart surgery. He recently traveled to California to compete in disc golf tournaments.
State Seal of Biliteracy Recognition
The school board recognized graduates earning the State Seal of Biliteracy. The students completed a rigorous language assessment where they were tested in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students excelled in the following languages this year: Dari, Farsi, Kinyarwanda, Oromo, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian. A total of 49 students who are graduating seniors have met the Oregon State Biliteracy Seal proficiency level criteria of Intermediate-High. This is a record for Gresham-Barlow School District.
View the list of 2025 Seal of Biliteracy Graduates
Recognition of Dr. Mayra Gómez's Service as a School Board Member
The school board honored Dr. Mayra Gómez for serving seven years on the GBSD school board. Her service ends on June 30, 2025. Her dedication to the patrons and students of the district is very much appreciated.
Superintendent and District Leadership Team Update
Superintendent Koch thanked the staff, families, and community for another year of dedication to our students. He shared that the District is taking innovative approaches in early literacy designed to empower our students to become confident readers and writers. He is also grateful for the work of our instructional coaches and staff in supporting our emerging multilingual learners. He thanked the staff of the GBSD for their dedication to social-emotional learning and creating a nurturing environment where students feel safe, valued, and understood.
Superintendent Koch shared the administrative changes for the 2025-26 school year. He also expressed his appreciation for the overnight work the Facilities crew did to deal with a plumbing challenge at Powell Valley Elementary School. He thanked Director Gomez for her work for our students, staff, and families during her time on the school board. He also wished Deputy Superintendent Tracy Klinger continued success as she transitions to the role of superintendent.
Citizens’ Requests of the Board
GBSD parent Jamie Justice shared her concerns about bullying accountability and student safety.
View the Public Comments
APPROVED, ratifying Resolution 2026-01 to adopt the budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year in the total amount of $286,594,641 now on file at the district's administrative business office.
APPROVED, ratifying Resolution 2026-02 to appropriate funds in the amount and purposes as outlined in the resolution for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
APPROVED, ratifying Resolution 2026-03 to impose the taxes provided for the adopted budget at the Permanent Rate of $4.5268 per $1,000 of assessed value for General Fund operations; and, to impose taxes in the amount of $23,654,755 for bonded debt; making these taxes hereby imposed and categorized for the tax year 2025-26 upon the assessed value of all taxable property within the district.
APPROVED, Policy JHCA/JHCB with the correction of changing the grade span from 7th to 12th grade to 6th to 12th grade
REVIEWED, Date, time, and place of 2025-26 board meetings
This will be voted on at a subsequent meeting.
APPROVED, the recommended alternative education programs for 2025-26 as presented.
APPROVED, the purchase of the K-8 Wayfinder Social Emotional Learning Curriculum 3-year subscription, with a not-to-exceed amount of $430,000.
APPROVED, the 2025-2026 proposed fees as presented.
APPROVED, the non-resident tuition in the amount of $11,139 as presented.
APPROVED, expanding the amount of 95 Percent Group purchases with a not to exceed amount of $420,000.
APPROVED, resolution number 2025-12 to transfer budget appropriations as presented in the resolution.
APPROVED, the contracts for Perlo Construction for the renovations of the kitchens at Powell Valley Elementary School, Gordon Russell Middle School, Dexter McCarty Middle School, Sam Barlow High School, East Orient Elementary School, and Highland Elementary School in an amount not to exceed $2,139,012.
APPROVED, the purchase of iReady assessment and personalized instruction in the amount of $440,841.80.
For more information on the action items listed above, view the Board Meeting Agenda.
Information Items
Out of State Travel Report
Executive Director of K-12 Schools Dr. Sara Deboy shared the list of administrator-approved out-of-state trips for Gresham-Barlow Schools since September of this school year.
Gresham Civic/Downtown Urban Renewal Plan
Finance Director Dennis Clague shared that the city of Gresham is proposing the Gresham Civic/Downtown Urban Renewal Plan. The letter included with this agenda item outlines the details of the Plan and the required statutory process. The District may provide a written comment to the City prior to July 10, 2025.
View the Mtg Agenda to Learn More
Monthly Financial Report as of 04/30/2025
Finance Director Dennis Clague reported that there has been no significant change in the District’s financial status since the prior month. Salary and benefits are trending favorably but are offset by higher than expected expenditures in transportation and other purchased services. The 2023-24 ODE SFF reconciliation shows an increase of $3,572,465 in the SSF allocation and $546,339 in the High-Cost Disability. These changes will be reflected in the May 2025 financial report.
View the Monthly Financial Report
Upcoming Meetings
June 18, 2025
Regular Board Work Session
6 p.m.
Partnership Room
Center for Advanced Learning
July 2, 2025
Regular Board Business Meeting
7 p.m.
Council Chambers
Public Safety and Schools Building
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.
