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North Wasco board approves ESD service plan, slots, budget calendar and interschool agreements
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Summary
At its Feb. 24 meeting, the North Wasco County SD 21 board approved the Columbia Gorge ESD local service plan, set interdistrict slot limits (15 resident releases / 15 nonresident acceptances), adopted the FY2026–27 budget calendar, and approved a collective practice agreement with Dufour for spring track; the board also accepted a grant appropriation for high-dosage tutoring.
The North Wasco County SD 21 board took multiple routine but consequential actions at its Feb. 24 meeting.
Columbia Gorge ESD local service plan: The board voted to accept the Columbia Gorge Education Service District (ESD) two‑year local service plan for 2026–2028, which lists core services (early childhood special education, technology, school improvement and administrative services) and regional initiatives such as the STEM hub. ESD superintendent Dana Peterson explained that the ESD’s funding mix relies partly on special revenue and grants and that the ESD recently added nursing services after a hospital contract ended. Director Kramer moved to approve the resolution; Director Jones seconded and the motion passed.
Interdistrict slots (resident release / nonresident acceptance): The board approved a standard annual agreement to allow up to 15 nonresident students into the district and to release up to 15 resident students to other Oregon districts for the 2026–27 school year. Dr. Bernal said most nonresident approvals arise from sibling placements or family work-location reasons; she also warned that increasing nonresident slots would reduce district enrollment and thereby state funding. The board discussed tradeoffs and a motion to keep the cap at 15/15 passed.
Budget calendar and procurement notes: The board approved the FY 2026–27 budget calendar and heard a reminder about Oregon’s legally prescribed notice windows for budget committee meetings and required publication dates. The CFO highlighted that some revenue lines are reimbursements and that payroll posting will affect encumbrance figures.
Athletics collective with Dufour: The board approved a new collective agreement permitting Dallas and Dufour to practice together for the spring 2026 track season while remaining separate competitive teams; AD Taylor described the arrangement as a practice-sharing agreement that allowed both schools to benefit from a common track and coaching capacity.
Grant appropriation (high-dosage tutoring funds): The board approved Resolution 25-26-08 recognizing unexpected state grant revenue for high-dosage tutoring and appropriating the funds for the current fiscal year (staff corrected the figure to $98,182.85 for this year). That resolution preceded the separate discussion and approval of the HeyTutor contract to deliver services.
Votes at a glance: motions on the ESD service plan, 15/15 slot agreement, FY 2026–27 budget calendar, Dufour collective and the grant appropriation were all moved, seconded and carried during the meeting. Several items had minimal public debate; the interdistrict slot item generated more discussion about enrollment and equity concerns.
What’s next: staff will publish the board’s approved documents, execute the collective agreement with Dufour (for track practice), and post the interdistrict slot application window this summer. The grant appropriation enables immediate contracting and program rollout tied to the state’s timeline.
