Bend‑LaPine School Board approves ESD service plan, recognizes classified staff and fills budget‑committee vacancy

The Bend‑LaPine Administrative School District 1 board met Feb. 10 and approved the High Desert ESD local service plan, adopted a resolution recognizing Classified Staff Appreciation Week and filled a vacancy on the district budget committee.

Superintendent Steve Cook opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. and recognized Marie Perez, a South County school bus driver nominated by Assistant Director of Transportation Chris Mather, as the district’s Champion of the Month. “She just does a wonderful job,” Cook said, thanking Perez for her work connecting with students and families.

The board adopted Resolution 2008 recognizing Classified Staff Appreciation Week. The transcript states the resolution was “adopted and approved by the board”; no roll‑call tally is recorded in the meeting transcript.

High Desert ESD superintendent Sarah Johnson presented the ESD’s local service plan, a menu of services that participating districts may use. The board voted to approve that plan; district staff will analyze the budgetary impact during the coming budget season.

During public comment, two students and three parents addressed the board. Bella McFadden of Caldera High School urged that freshmen be allowed to serve as counselors at Camp Tamarack to expand student participation. Senior Jude Welton of Bend High School raised concerns about gendered restrooms and urged consideration of non‑gendered facilities for students who need them. Parents Natalie Houston and Kate Bridal asked the district to investigate whether current educational‑technology use and screen time are negatively affecting student mental health; the transcript reports these concerns but does not record a policy change or board directive in response.

The board approved the consent agenda by a 5‑0 vote. District staff recommended Savas Chemistry as the district’s chemistry curriculum; Dean Richards, Colleen Behrens and several science teachers presented the recommendation and answered board questions. The board did not record a final adoption vote for the chemistry program in the transcript excerpt provided.

A committee recommended three names for a new choice high school formed by combining Bend Tech Academy and Realms High School: Central Bend High School, Deschutes High School and Deschutes River High School. The committee said it narrowed about 74 original suggestions through engagement surveys and feedback; the board will vote on a final name at its March meeting.

Vice Chair Tatum called for nominations to fill a budget‑committee vacancy. The board approved Bridal Johnson’s appointment by a 5‑0 vote and welcomed the appointee to the committee.

The board also discussed Resolution 2010 urging the legislature to use the Education Stability Fund to protect district investments. The presentation referenced a $200,000,000 figure as a potential stabilizing draw on the fund and noted the governor’s request that state programs reduce spending by roughly 2.5%–5%. The transcript records the district’s recommendation that the board adopt the resolution but does not record a vote tally in the excerpt provided.

Superintendent Cook closed the meeting and recorded adjournment at 7:27 p.m. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2026; the budget committee will meet Feb. 24.

What’s next: staff will report budget impacts of the ESD service plan during the district’s budget process, and the board will vote on the new choice high school name at the March meeting.