North Wasco trustees adopt corrected supplemental budget, approve SIA grant and postpone two curriculum adoptions

The North Wasco County School District 21 board approved several formal actions during its December meeting, including adoption of a corrected supplemental budget, approval of the district's Student Investment Account (SIA) grant agreement and a postponement of two required curriculum adoptions to reduce teacher workload.

Supplemental budget: Chair Betsy Hagee called for a motion to adopt a corrected supplemental budget that rescinded a prior supplemental budget and adopted the corrected version for fiscal year 2025-26. Dan, the district's chief financial officer, presented the financials and said revenues and expenditures were proceeding largely as budgeted; he noted a high cash balance driven by property tax receipts and reported an enrollment decrease of 29 students. The board adopted the resolution (rescinding the prior supplemental budget and adopting the corrected supplemental budget) by voice vote; those present said "aye" and the motion passed.

Student Investment Account (SIA): Administrators explained the Student Investment Account (part of the Student Success Act) and its allowable uses — mental and behavioral health supports, academic supports, reducing class sizes and promoting equitable opportunities. The district's total SIA allocation for the 2025-27 biennium was reported as $5,744,807.63. A trustee moved to approve the SIA grant agreement; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Curriculum adoption postponement: TLA staff recommended postponing two required instruction-material adoptions (secondary health 6-12 and K-5 social science) to the 2026-27 adoption cycle with implementation in 2027-28. The rationale was to avoid overburdening teachers who are already implementing recent adoptions, ensure higher-quality professional learning and maintain compliance with Division 22. Director (speaker 7) moved to postpone both adoptions and the board approved the motion by voice vote; the administration said it will monitor the adoption-calendar limits to ensure continued compliance with state requirements.

Complaint resolution: As an added action item from the executive session, the board considered a complaint dated October 10, 2025, against Director David Jones. The board moved to find "no violation of board policy" and directed the board attorney to notify the complaining party. Director David Jones abstained from the vote; the motion carried.

Other actions: The consent agenda (minutes, personnel report and two policy adoptions amended for ORS updates) was approved earlier in the meeting.

What happens next: The district will proceed with SIA planning and implementation using the approved grant agreement, staff will monitor adoption-calendar constraints for the postponed curriculum items and report back as needed, and financial staff will continue to track budget developments and report updates to the board.