Gresham-Barlow board upholds investigation findings, directs chair to notify parties

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board of Directors on March 5 voted to uphold the findings of an internal investigation and delegated the board chair to communicate the results to the respondent and complainant.

Motion 66, introduced after the board reconvened from a closed executive session, read in part: "Move to uphold the findings of the investigation and delegate authority to the board chair to communicate out to the respondent and complainant." The motion was made by Board Member Holly Riegelmann and seconded by Shawn Farrens. The board subsequently adopted an amendment to include "information from legal counsel regarding a board complaint," which Kris Howatt moved and Riegelmann seconded. The amended motion carried unanimously, Aye: 6, No: 0.

The action followed a closed executive session the board held under Oregon law (ORS 192.660(2)(f) and ORS 192.660(2)(i)). Minutes state that the session was closed to the public, virtual attendees were excused and the meeting’s audio and video were muted during the executive session. The recorded vote and motion text indicate the board exercised its authority to implement the investigation’s findings and to direct the chair to communicate those findings and counsel-provided information to the involved parties.

Board records show six members present for the action; Position 7 on the board was noted as vacant. The meeting minutes identify the board chair as Blake Petersen and list Dr. Tracy Klinger as superintendent. The minutes do not include details of the investigation itself or the content of the communication to be sent by the chair.