Hermiston board declines to ratify teachers' contract proposal that included proposed 5‑FTE layoffs

The Hermiston School Board on July 14 declined to ratify a motion to approve the Hermiston Association of Teachers 2025–27 working agreement that included a proposed reduction in force (RIF) of five licensed full‑time equivalent (FTE) positions to balance the 2025–26 budget.

Board Chair James Hurst moved to approve the 2025–27 teachers' working agreement and implement a five‑FTE RIF. The motion was seconded. After discussion and roll‑call signaling, the chair announced the measure was not ratified.

Why it matters: The motion would have formalized the negotiated working agreement and, as presented to the board, included an immediate plan to reduce five licensed positions this year (and referenced additional reductions in a following year in negotiation materials). Board members who opposed the motion said they did not want to initiate layoffs.

Board discussion: Several board members spoke against implementing layoffs. Board member Bonnie Luisi said, "I'm not in favor of laying anyone off, and I've got phone calls and letters from teachers in the district that are really concerned about having to go through layoffs." Board member Craig Jones said, "I have a hard time, first day on the board, releasing or firing 5 employees this year," and objected to approving layoffs while negotiations were ongoing.

Procedure and context: The motion followed an executive session on labor negotiations; the chair introduced the recommendation publicly after that session. Superintendent Trisha Mooney had earlier outlined budget pressures during her reports (see related article), and negotiations with employee groups were discussed in executive session before the motion. The board did not adopt the motion to ratify the agreement and the RIF.

What the board recorded: The motion text presented to the board was: "That the board of education approve the 2025–2027 working agreement of the Hermiston Association of Teachers and implement a reduction in force to include 5 FTE licensed staff members to balance the budget for the 2025–26 school year." Chair James Hurst moved the motion; a board member seconded. After discussion and voting, the chair announced the motion was not ratified.

Next steps: The board did not adopt the contract or the proposed RIF. The transcript records continued discussion of calendar and future items following the failed motion; the district will continue budget and negotiation work in subsequent meetings and in executive session as allowed by state law.

Ending: The board returned to regular agenda items after the vote and moved on to calendar and future items and an additional executive session later in the meeting.