Teachers union tells Gresham-Barlow board special-education staffing shortfalls are harming students

A representative from the Gresham-B a r l o w Education Association (GBEA) told the school board Dec. 4 that changes in the districts special-education model have reduced direct support to students. The union said the IST team is functioning more in support and compliance roles rather than drafting Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and that behavior support teachers previously assigned to buildings have not been returned.

Union representatives said these changes coincide with an increase in disruptive and unsafe student behaviors and that the district is carrying over about $1,000,000 that union members believe could be used to hire staff who work directly with students. The union asked the board to prioritize hiring counselors, special-education staff, and behavior-support teachers rather than reallocating student-investment or categorical funds to other district uses.

Superintendent James Hughes acknowledged receiving concerns and said staff have consulted legal counsel on matters that required review. Board members listened and did not indicate a specific staffing motion at the Dec. 4 meeting; they requested continued dialogue and clarity from district administrators.

Quote: "When will the board and district admin listen to the educators working directly with students every day and do the work to have a shared reality about the barriers to meeting the increased student needs?" the GBEA representative asked.

Ending: The union asked the board to examine current spending and the student-investment account to determine whether funds could be allocated to hire additional frontline staff; the board did not take formal action at this meeting but signaled staff follow-up and further discussion at future meetings.