Board assigns members to committees, outlines summer communications and plans August retreat

The newly constituted Forest Grove School District board discussed committee assignments, summer communications and plans for an August retreat during the July 1 meeting.

Directors agreed on provisional committee assignments for the 2025–26 year: policy committee (Kate Klute and Brisa Franco), bond oversight (Alma Lozano and Peter Truax), financial oversight (Peter Truax and Alma Lozano) and recreation liaison (Brad Befaro with an additional seat to be filled when available). Board members described prior practice as flexible: members have rotated committee seats year to year and may adjust assignments as schedules change.

Superintendent Dr. West and Chief Financial Officer Eileen Detrick explained the role of committees. Detrick said the bond oversight committee meets quarterly as required by bond sale terms; the financial oversight committee supports audit review and budgeting and has met between two and four times a year depending on need. Dr. West said committees are a way for board members to gain deeper oversight before matters come to the full board.

Board leadership said July is typically quiet but emergent matters will be communicated by email or phone. The board will reconvene for a public retreat in August to set board–superintendent working agreements, board goals and to build working relationships; the retreat will be at the Community Auditorium and run through the afternoon with a working lunch. The board also noted opportunities for community outreach over the summer, including market sign-ups for board members to staff informational booths.