Board asks staff to clarify organizational duties chart; committee appointments tabled to August retreat

Directors on the District 21 School Board questioned a document presented as a “Board Organizational Chart,” saying the file reads more like a list of assigned duties than a traditional org chart. Several directors asked whether changes to listed assignments would require a board decision or could be handled by staff recommendations.

A staff member told the board that “it would be staff’s responsibility to bring forward what the changes are to the board and the recommendations.” Board members said they wanted clearer labeling and a conventional organizational chart that shows lines of authority and reporting.

Director Betsy Hagee encouraged renaming the item “board organizational duties chart” to reflect its function. Directors also raised that some entries reference individual names or offices that could change, and they asked staff to bring recommended updates back for board approval when appropriate.

Separately, the board discussed appointments to standing committees, including the scholarship, equity, wellness, community outreach and D21 Education Foundation committees. Director Tara Henke asked to postpone making committee appointments until after the board’s August retreat and the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) summer conference. The board agreed by consensus to table committee appointments and asked staff to include committee descriptions, meeting schedules and membership expectations in retreat materials.

Board members also noted an upcoming strategic planning event for the D21 Education Foundation on Aug. 22 and Aug. 23 (10 a.m.–3 p.m.) and urged that availability for those dates be considered when assigning foundation representation.