GRESHAM, Ore. — The Gresham‑Barlow School District Board on June 4 approved a three‑year subscription to the Wayfinder K–8 social‑emotional learning curriculum, not to exceed $430,000.

Carla Shell, who led presentation of the item, told the board the State Board of Education adopted Oregon’s transformational SEL framework and standards in June 2023; districts were expected to implement those standards. A committee of counselors, liaisons, teachers, administrators and coaches evaluated materials, collected student feedback and recommended Wayfinder for district adoption.

“During the 2023–24 school year the district began implementation of the standards by training teachers and adopting a new set of materials,” Shell said during the meeting. Director Myra Gomez moved the purchase and Director David Lickatich seconded; the motion passed.

Interim Superintendent John Cook and incoming Superintendent Tracy Klinger clarified funding: the district is using Student Investment Account (SIA) dollars, funded by the corporate activities tax, to buy the curriculum. Klinger noted the state expects districts to implement SEL standards and that teachers need classroom tools to support the learning. Board members asked whether the adoption represented an unfunded mandate; Klinger characterized the new standards as a state requirement and said SIA funds are an appropriate source.

Why it matters: The Wayfinder purchase funds instruction and materials intended to teach SEL standards across K–8 classrooms. District staff said implementation will begin in fall 2025 and will be used alongside other instructional supports.

Implementation: The purchase is a districtwide instructional contract managed by curriculum and instruction staff and funded from SIA allocations. The board approved the subscription as a formal action at second reading.