HOOD RIVER — Superintendent Bill Newton shared budget information at the May 8 Hood River County School District board meeting, held at the Nathaniel Coe Administrative Center.
Newton said the district’s budget committee has voted to approve the 2024-2025 budget, which will be brought before the board for a vote May 22 (results unavailable by press time). He thanked board members who serve on the committee, as well as community members Janice Crane, Terra Metta, Peter Harman, Jamie Smith, Brenda Bounds, Erica Mitchell and Melissa Tokstad, and Nancy Rowley, OSEA representative, and Ted Cramer, HREA representative.
Bill Newton
He also said Interim Chief Financial Officer Nancy Hall had updated the current general fund balance, now at 6.28% — higher than anticipated. The finance advisory committee had plans to investigate the reasons for the change, he said.
Educational equity advisory committee
Newton apprised the board on a new educational equity advisory committee, to be comprised of 10-14 members that include students, family, staff and community. The group will advise the superintendent and board on equity impacts of policy decisions and situations that negatively impact students from historically marginalized communities, he said. Members will serve two year terms, with an option to extend the commitment to three.
The committee will meet four times a year, with the option of adding meetings if necessary. Newton added the in-person meetings will be held in the evening, with interpretation and childcare provided as needed.
Those interested in learning about the committee are asked to contact Executive Director of Equity and Family Partnerships Patricia Ortega-Cooper (541-387-5714 or patricia.ortega-cooper@hoodriver.k12.or.us).
“It’s our intent to bring to the school board for approval in July the names of our equity advisory committee members,” Newton said.
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