By Trisha Walker
Columbia Gorge News
HOOD RIVER — Hood River County School District (HRCSD) is facing another budget shortfall.
Superintendent Bill Newton said in a statement last week that, despite $4 million in reductions made during the last budget cycle, approximately $1.3 million more are coming for 2026–2027 to make up the difference.
The proposed budget was presented to the public on April 28, after press deadline. A second budget meeting is set for Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m. in the Hood River Valley High School library. Following deliberations, the committee will vote to approve the budget and forward it to the school board for final adoption at the June 10 board meeting.
What will not change
Newton said a conscious choice was made to “shield the heart of the student experience” when cuts were considered: Class size averages will remain low; no furlough days will be implemented for staff; elementary support specialists and secondary counselors will remain; and no cuts were made to PE, library, music, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) or Career and Technical Education (CTE) and extracurricular athletics programs. Newton said that some investments have also been made, including a full-time special education position for IEP coordination; $100,000 to bridge the funding gap for free student breakfast and lunch; and professional development dollars.
Proposed reductions
Proposed cuts to Cascade Locks Elementary equal a 0.5 licensed staff position, 0.5 support specialist and 0.45 administrative position; Westside and May Street elementary schools will see the loss of one paraprofessional position each. Hood River Valley High School will lose a full-time childcare paraprofessional position, with Parkdale and Hood River Options Academy losing a 0.5 licensed staff position each.
But the change getting the most attention is the relocation of the Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education program from Pine Grove to Mid Valley Elementary, starting with the 2026-2027 school year.
Newton said that the move to Mid Valley “is intended to maximize operational efficiency and minimize long-term facility costs associated with the Pine Grove building.”
Several factors have accelerated the timing of the move; facility work after a January flood have been ongoing and faced a number of challenges stemming from insurance claims and work-related issues.
An assessment by the Oregon Department of Education has found Pine Grove “in poor condition.” Most of the building does not have a fire suppression system, several faucets have tested positive for lead, and there are problems with the sewer line. A broken dishwasher and leaking roof were also noted. Site drainage and plumbing were also listed in the 2016 financial report but were not completed, Newton noted.
Early intervention staff have voiced concerns with the proposed plan, primarily asking school board members to pause the move; more online at columbiagorgenews.com.
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