Gresham-Barlow board authorizes staff to begin reduction-in-force procedures as district projects $10.2 million gap

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board of Directors on April 2 authorized district staff to begin reduction-in-force procedures, after Superintendent Dr. Klinger told the board the district projects an “approximate $10,200,000 general fund expense revenue gap for the 2026–27 school year.”

Why it matters: The authorization allows administrators to carry out layoff processes required by state law and collective bargaining agreements; it does not itself set a specific number of positions to be cut. District officials said the action is a fiscal compliance step to prepare for a budget that, absent new revenue or further savings, would otherwise exceed available funds.

Dr. Klinger framed the measure as a reluctant but necessary response to funding shortfalls. “As of today, 04/02/2026, the Gresham-Barlow School District is projecting an approximate $10,200,000 general fund expense revenue gap for the 26-27 school year based upon rising costs and inadequate funding to support current staffing levels,” she said. She told the board the resolution authorizes staff to proceed with processes related to reductions in force “in accordance with collective bargaining agreements without any further action from the board.”

Union and staff representatives pressed the board for alternatives and protections for special education and other high-need services. Catherine Unger of the Gresham-Barlow Association (GBA) warned that cuts to special education would worsen already high caseloads and strain staff: “Many of our resource room members have caseloads in the thirties or forties,” she said, urging the district to seek savings elsewhere.

Board members acknowledged the difficulty of the decision. One director recounted prior rounds of reductions and said the board’s goal is to preserve as many jobs as possible; another emphasized the district’s ongoing advocacy with state lawmakers to seek more funding. District staff said they continue to pursue resignations, retirements and other natural attrition to limit layoffs, and will return with more specifics as processes require.

What the board approved: The motion to ratify Resolution 2026-09 authorizing reduction-in-force procedures effective June 30, 2026, was moved and seconded and passed on a voice vote. The resolution authorizes staff to implement RIF steps under applicable Oregon statutes and collective bargaining agreements; it does not set exact layoff counts or identify positions at this time.

Next steps: District staff will follow required notice and bargaining procedures and report back to the board with further details as they become available. The board also directed staff to continue exploring alternatives to layoffs and to provide interim updates before any contract or staffing changes take effect.