After debate, Gresham‑Barlow board votes to move regular meetings back to Thursdays

The Gresham‑Barlow School District Board of Directors voted on Aug. 27 to shift its regular business meetings from Wednesdays to Thursdays after a motion to reconsider the previously adopted Wednesday schedule. The motion was moved by Director Heather Coleman Cox and seconded by Director Chris Hallitt; the board carried the motion by voice vote.

The board's discussion centered on competing goals: maximizing board members' ability to attend student events and extracurriculars versus maintaining staff workflow and predictable meeting preparation schedules. Director Coleman Cox said her temporary absence from full meetings would limit her ability to serve because she is enrolled in a nine‑month child behavioral health program; she urged the board to reconsider the schedule so she could participate fully. "This program strengthens the board's ability to govern wisely," Coleman Cox said during discussion.

Other directors emphasized different priorities. Director Chris Hallitt reviewed the historical reasons for Thursdays, noting staff and longstanding practice favored Thursdays and that changing the meeting night can affect staff schedules and the timing of agenda preparation. Superintendent Dr. Klinger told the board staff historically preferred Thursdays; the superintendent also said staff supported a potential 4 p.m. start time for some work sessions but noted that the board had not taken up that specific change in the vote.

Board members aired personal experiences about attending student activities and family scheduling, and several said the change would affect them at different times. Chair Chad Peterson framed the decision as an effort to maximize participation and to support student activities while balancing staff needs.

The motion on the table read: "Reconsider the adoption of the Thursday board business meeting and work session schedule that was first presented to the board in July." After discussion and a voice vote, board members answered "Aye," and Peterson announced the motion carried. The board did not adopt a change to the work‑session start time at the meeting; work sessions will remain scheduled at 6 p.m. unless the board brings a separate motion.

The board chair and staff asked members who wanted to revisit start times or other logistics to coordinate with Chair Peterson, Director Holly and district staff to place any future scheduling items on an agenda. The change moves future regular board business meetings to Thursdays; the board also set the next work session for Sept. 18 in the conference room and the Oct. 2 meeting in the Council Chambers per the revised calendar.

Actions recorded: motion to reconsider meeting night and adopt Thursday schedule (approved). No changes to meeting start times were approved in this action.

Speakers quoted or cited: Director Heather Coleman Cox; Chair Chad Peterson; Director Chris Hallitt; Superintendent Dr. Klinger; Directors Holly, David Ligotich, and others.