Superintendent Doctor Mooney reported enrollment of 5,105 K–12 students as of Dec. 31, a slight month-to-month decline consistent with statewide trends, and announced kindergarten registration dates and on-site support for families in April.
The district reported November revenues slightly below projections (about $90,000 for the month; $259,000 year-to-date), noted a one-time payroll adjustment tied to summer learning ($244,739.90) and said the projected year-end fund balance is roughly 9.55% against a 10% target.
After an extended second-reading discussion of Policy BHD (board member stipends and reimbursements), the Hermiston School District board agreed to table the policy and solicit public feedback, setting a deadline of no later than June to return with specifics.
Principal Delfino Soro Garcia told the Hermiston SD 8 board that Arman Larvie uses state OSAS and NWEA MAPS data plus common formative assessments to guide instruction, highlighting a PBIS "streak" profile, an early-warning system (15 high‑risk students) and targeted small‑group interventions.
Trustees held a first reading of a policy that would permit future resolutions to provide stipends to board members, debated conflict‑of‑interest procedures and opt‑out/donation approaches, and discussed ORS 332.018 sub 3 limits (historically $500/month; chair estimated a CPI‑adjusted $531.45).
External auditor Rebecca Ramos reported an unmodified (clean) audit opinion for the district’s financial statements for year ending 06/30/2025, with no findings of noncompliance or internal‑control weaknesses; ESSER ARP I was identified as the major federal program tested.
The Hermiston School District 8 board approved multiple policy updates on consent but agreed to postpone policy IKF (graduation exercises) because of formatting/footnote issues; the board will renumber footnotes when posted online and return IKF for later action.
Sandstone Middle School told the Hermiston School District 8 board that enrollment for grades 6–8 rose to 634 (its highest in a decade), attendance averaged 91% last year, and staff outlined MAP Growth/OSAS results and programs—Lunch Bunch, homework club and peer observations—to support students.
Hermiston School District 8 board voted to endorse Nicole Schott for the OSBA board (Gorge Region) and Jose Aparicio for the OSBA Legislative Policy Committee (Gorge Region); Mr. Diaz will cast the district's official OSBA ballot.
Hermiston School District 8 financial staff reported September tax receipts roughly matched projections but investment interest and fees are below projection; the board was told the state will issue a December estimate that will alter state school fund columns. Superintendent reported enrollment at 5,195 as of Oct. 31.