Ocean View personnel commission hears first reading of 2026–27 budget, praises job‑fair hiring gains

The Ocean View Personnel Commission on April [date not specified in transcript] received a first reading of the commission's preliminary 2026–27 budget, which Dr. Jensen said shows "about a 9% overall increase" largely tied to salary adjustments and the cost of a contractor facilitating a district job study.

Dr. Jensen told commissioners the draft also reflects smaller annual adjustments—"anywhere from 1 and 1/2% to 3%"—for professional memberships, software licenses and other recurring expenses, and that the commission will hold a public hearing and second reading at its May meeting before any final action is taken.

Deputy Superintendent of Human Resources Reagan Hedrick spoke in public comment to thank commissioners for supporting the budget and to highlight human resources' role in the district's recruitment efforts. "Thank you for that support," Hedrick said, and she singled out Commissioner Ewing for attending and supporting the job fair.

Commissioners and staff used the budget discussion to note the district's recent job fairs. Commissioner Gooch and Dr. Jensen praised the events as a coordinated team effort involving staff, union partners and board members. Gooch said the fair helped streamline hiring processes and predicted it would yield substantial onboarding benefits. Dr. Jensen and staff said the district has "seen over 200 employees on‑boarded" or expects to see that number by the end of the school year; the transcript presents that figure as an approximate outcome of recent recruitment events.

The presentation emphasized that the session was a first reading only and that a fuller budget presentation and the required public hearing will occur at the commission's May meeting. No vote was taken on the budget at this meeting.