The Tigard‑Tualatin School District board on Tuesday adopted an update to board policy BHD that would allow board stipends only if a future budget allocates money for them. The board first approved the edits in voice vote but rescinded that action after staff and members noted the meeting lacked an explicit conflict‑of‑interest declaration required by governance guidance. The board then reintroduced the motion and passed it again by roll call; several board members declared a potential conflict of interest before voting yes.

Board policy BHD as approved limits any stipend amount to the amount included in the district budget and restores language specifying that reimbursements “include but are not limited to transportation, meals, lodging, and miscellaneous expenses,” according to the presentation by staff counsel. Chair Zershmeid led the discussion and Director Jaime moved the motion; Vice Chair Ervin and Director Miles spoke in favor of keeping the language available to a future board.

The board’s process drew questions from members about how a stipend would be implemented. As staff counsel explained, a stipend would only be paid if a future budget includes the line item; if no stipend amount is proposed there would be no board payment that year and no conflict to declare. Director Weston suggested an independent commission could remove potential conflicts but the board’s attorney advised the budget route is the legal mechanism to authorize stipends under current state rules.

The board’s correction drew attention to best practice: after the first, unanimous voice vote the board rescinded the motion and moved it again. In the subsequent roll call, multiple members—who did not identify themselves by name in the motion text—declared they had a potential conflict of interest and still voted in favor; the second vote carried unanimously with those declarations recorded.

The policy change does not create immediate payments; it only authorizes a process by which a future board could include stipend amounts in an annual budget vote. The board did not set any stipend amounts at the meeting.