The Forest Grove School District Board of Directors approved a memorandum of understanding for translation and interpretation services at its Dec. 15 special session, authorizing up to $130,000 for the 2025–26 school year.

Assistant Superintendent Arturo Lomeli told the board that the district works with CEMA for translation and interpretation support and that the contract amount is included in the district budget. "Each year, we bring to the board, a memorandum of understanding with CEMA who provides our translation and interpretive interpretation services," Lomeli said, adding the agreement covers interpretation at meetings and community events.

A board member moved to approve the memorandum for the described amount and another board member seconded; the board voted in favor by voice vote. The motion as recorded in the meeting audio/transcript referenced "FEMA Services Inc." while staff presentation and Lomeli's remarks identified the vendor as CEMA. The record does not show the board amending that wording; the difference is noted in the meeting minutes as a possible clerical discrepancy.

The memorandum was presented because the contract amount exceeds the $50,000 threshold that requires board approval, Lomeli said; he stated the $130,000 figure is budgeted for the year and the board was being asked to authorize the contract execution and expenditure.

The board took the contract vote before moving on to budget-committee appointments. The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.