Erin Hayward-Ellis

The meeting focused on the presentation of the proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Key topics included the election of a presiding officer for the budget committee, the review of the superintendent's budget message, and an overview of the district's financial components, purpose, and funding sources. The discussion highlighted the role of the special revenue fund, the impact of state and local funding, and the allocation of resources to support regional school districts through various services. Staffing levels, programmatic shifts, and the long-term sustainability of the budget were also addressed, along with a review of the budget development timeline.

The board meeting focused on the selection and appointment of the new superintendent for the Lane Education Service District. Key agenda items included a review of the superintendent search process facilitated by a consulting firm, a land acknowledgment reading, and a formal vote on the employment contract for the incoming superintendent, effective July 1, 2026. Discussion topics also included praise for the quality of the applicant pool and the transition of district leadership.

The meeting served as a budget orientation to establish a foundation for the upcoming budget committee cycle. Key discussion topics included an overview of the local service plan development, the funding model for core and flex services, and a budget outlook for the next fiscal year. The committee reviewed financial pressures, including rising salary and benefit costs and inflation impacts on non-payroll expenses. Additionally, the Board emphasized maintaining an equity lens in decision-making and discussed the importance of balancing resources while supporting historically marginalized students and ensuring program quality for children with special needs.

The meeting commenced with a land acknowledgement recognizing the traditional ancestral home of the Kalapouya, Susla, Malala, and other indigenous people. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the progress and data from the Upbeat culture climate survey. Key topics included the evolution of the equity committee from a staff-only group (Lane Equity Advisory Committee) to the current District Equity Committee, which now incorporates cabinet members to bridge communication gaps with staff. The presentation detailed survey participation rates across faculty, staff (Instructional Assistants/Educational Assistants), and department personnel, noting lower engagement from staff personnel due to logistical challenges like limited access to technology and time. Areas of strength for licensed staff included the 'Care and Commitment' category, specifically regarding teacher belief in student well-being (95% agreement). Areas needing improvement for licensed staff included 'Work Life Balance' and belief in maintaining current workloads long-term (27% and 26% positive scores, respectively). For staff/IAS, strong agreement was found regarding 'Equal Opportunities' accessibility (84%), while the primary area of concern was 'Staff Appreciation' (34% positive). Challenges in staff appreciation were attributed to the dispersed nature of classrooms across the county and high supervisor turnover.

Key discussion topics included a presentation highlighting community partnerships and efforts to minimize costs while maximizing student benefit, focusing on inspiring students. The board reviewed and approved the consent agenda, which covered two sets of meeting minutes and an HR report. The financial report for December, which was unaudited, indicated operating revenues of approximately $19.5 million year-to-date (59.4% of budget) against expenditures of about $10.9 million (37.7% of budget), trending slightly lower in ending fund balance than the prior year. The board voted on matters related to a complaint, ultimately moving to hire an independent investigator rather than an attorney for the investigation, with some discussion regarding the necessity of using a lawyer for fact-finding. A motion was passed to grant a hearing regarding a personnel decision. Thomas was appointed to receive legislative updates from the county representative. The board approved a $10,000 grant proposal for suicide prevention and executive training through the 2026-2027 school year. Finally, the board conducted a second read and voted to adopt policy updates in section JFC to JHFCA, and subsequently voted to delete outdated policies listed in section 72, many of which were incorporated into medication/communicative disease policies. A legislative update was also provided regarding the start of the short session of the legislature.