Gresham-Barlow board authorizes reduction-in-force authority amid statewide funding shortfall

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board of Directors on April 2 ratified Resolution 2026-09 authorizing a reduction in force (RIF) effective June 30, 2026. The motion was made by Director Kris Howatt and seconded by Director Brenna Puderbaugh; the board voted 6-0 to carry the resolution.

Superintendent Dr. Tracy Klinger and board members repeatedly framed the vote as an authorization step rather than a final personnel decision. Klinger told the board the authority is needed because “this biennium it was projected they needed $12.1 billion to maintain the current service level,” and said the district is developing next year’s budget with the goal of remaining student-centered and sustainable.

Board members stressed the difficulty of the decision. Chair Blake Petersen said the RIF authority was not a reflection of local mismanagement and urged continued engagement with state advocacy groups, including the Oregon School Boards Association. Directors also emphasized their preference to minimize reductions where possible and to protect special education services.

The district did not specify the number of positions that will be affected by the authority granted on April 2. Superintendent Klinger and staff will follow the district’s personnel processes, and the board indicated it expects further particulars before any individual layoffs are finalized.

The vote followed public labor statements earlier in the meeting from the Gresham-Barlow Education Association and other staff representatives pressing the board to avoid cuts to special education and frontline positions.