Bend‑LaPine board adopts ESD local service plan, appoints budget committee member and passes funding resolution
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Summary
At its Feb. 10 meeting the Bend‑LaPine Board approved the High Desert ESD 2026–27 Local Service Plan, appointed Bryce Johnson to a vacant budget committee seat, adopted a classified‑employee appreciation resolution and passed a resolution urging strategic use of the Oregon Education Stability Fund. All recorded votes were unanimous.
The Bend‑LaPine Administrative School District board voted unanimously Feb. 10 to approve the High Desert Education Service District 2026–27 Local Service Plan and to adopt two resolutions and an appointment.
The board approved the High Desert ESD Local Service Plan after a presentation by Dr. Sarah Johnson, who described the menu of legislated services (administrative/support, services for children with special needs, school improvement and technology) that component districts review and the ESD board finalizes. Superintendent Dr. Stephen Cook and board members discussed Ben‑LaPine’s outsized 56% voting share on the ESD decision and potential budget impacts for the consortium. Director Ross Tomlin moved to approve the plan; the motion carried 5–0.
Earlier in the meeting Director Fisher read Resolution 2008 proclaiming March 2025 as Classified Employee Appreciation Week. Director Jen Lynch moved approval; the board voted 5–0 to adopt the resolution.
In an appointment vote, the board nominated and appointed Bryce Johnson to fill the vacant Budget Committee seat 3 created by the resignation of Seth Eisenberg. The motion to nominate Johnson was moved and seconded and approved 5–0.
Late in the meeting Superintendent Cook presented a resolution urging the governor and legislature to make ‘‘strategic, responsible use’’ of the Oregon Education Stability Fund to help stabilize the 2026–27 K–12 budget, citing estimates of statewide stabilization needs and noting the fund has been accessed nine times since its creation. Director Jen Lynch moved approval and the board adopted the resolution 5–0.
What happens next: The Local Service Plan is now part of the ESD’s approval process; the new budget committee member will begin participating in budget work; the board’s resolution joins other local advocacy voices urging use of the state’s stability fund during the short legislative session.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 2008 (classified employee appreciation week) — Motion: approve; Mover: Director Lynch; Second: Director Fisher; Outcome: approved 5–0. High Desert ESD 2026–27 Local Service Plan — Motion: approve; Mover: Director Tomlin; Second: Director Fisher; Outcome: approved 5–0. Budget committee appointment — Motion: nominate Bryce Johnson; Mover: Director Fisher; Outcome: approved 5–0. Resolution urging Education Stability Fund use — Motion: approve; Mover: Director Lynch; Outcome: approved 5–0.