HOOD RIVER — Superintendent Bill Newton provided another update at Hood River County School District (HRCSD) board of directors meeting April 23 on staffing reductions slated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Newton said 32 total full-time staff across licensed, classified and administrative positions have been reduced, with approximately 25 of those happening through retirements, resignation and leaves. This has “significantly limited the number of staff receiving reduction in force notices,” he said.
In addition, 33 licensed, two classified and four administrative staff are being transferred to other roles based on their qualifications and district needs.
“Even with these efforts, four licensed staff members and one classified staff member will be laid off and put on a recall list,” he said. Impacted staff were notified on April 18.
However, there are two open licensed positions and 10 classified roles for the coming school year that require specific licenses or qualifications that current staff lack.
“We know the impact of these transitions is being felt deeply throughout our schools because they affect people — students, educators, and families,” Newton said. “They are not decisions taken lightly … Change is never easy, with some team members moving into new roles and others joining new school communities.”
He again stressed the importance of advocating for improved state funding, and said he provided written testimony to the Joint Ways and Means Committee the previous week. “In the letter, I expressed my strong support for the proposed $11.4 billion investment in the State School Fund (SSF), as recommended by the governor … This level of funding is essential for our district to retain dedicated staff, sustain vital core programs, and meet the growing academic and social-emotional needs of our diverse student population.”
In addition, Newton urged the Legislature to go further by addressing the longstanding underfunding of special education. Currently, 14.8% of HRCSD students receive special education services. The state currently caps special education services funding at 11%, a level that has not been revised in more than 30 years. The passage of HB 2953 to raise the special education cap in the State School Fund and provide dedicated additional funding would go a long way to address additional costs the school district is obligated by law to address, despite the gap in funding, he said.
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