April 29, 2026 Budget Committee Meeting

The Gresham-Barlow School District Budget Committee convened on April 29, 2026, to review and discuss the proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year. The meeting focused heavily on the district's financial challenges, including declining student enrollment, flat state funding, and rising costs in labor, transportation, utilities, and insurance. The committee examined detailed budget documents, including appropriations, staffing levels, and capital project funds. Significant attention was given to proposed reductions in elementary music programs, AVID programs, and counseling supports, which sparked extensive public testimony from students, parents, and staff advocating to preserve these programs. The committee also discussed the district's fund balance, technology replacement plans, and the potential for future local option levies to address funding gaps. No final budget approval was made during this meeting; rather, the committee sought additional information and planned further deliberations. The meeting underscored the district's commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with maintaining core educational services amid systemic funding challenges.