On April 2, the Gresham-Barlow School Board approved a resolution authorizing Superintendent Klinger to lay off staff members to close a $10 million funding gap for the 2026-27 school year. The District is currently determining which staff members will be affected by the reduction-in-force (RIF). The layoff process is guided by state requirements, collective bargaining agreements, and district administrative rules. Staff members affected by the RIF will be notified in late April.

The District’s projected shortfall is due to rising costs and declining enrollment. In addition, the District is committed to responsible, student-centered financial stewardship. The District is using its Budget Development Guiding Principles and input gathered from staff and community to guide its decision-making.

In addition to staffing reductions, the district will reduce spending on supplies and materials and implement program reductions. Community feedback showed a strong desire to continue offering students a well-rounded education. The District’s focus will be on maintaining a variety of opportunities, with an emphasis on reducing rather than eliminating programs. 

A look ahead

The proposed budget will be presented to the District’s Budget Committee at its April 29, 2026, meeting. The District is required to have a balanced budget in place by June 30. The timeline for the budget process is on the District’s Budget Development Webpage. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about the budget, please email them to gbsd@gresham.k12.or.us. For more information about the budget, please visit our Budget Development Webpage.