Here is a quick overview of our regular board meeting on September 14, 2026. Community members are always welcome to join!
| Public Comments and Communications |
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Public Comments
Three community members, Nick Ridling (founder of Eastern Oregon Basketball Club), Koreana Faretta, and Bethany Adair, addressed the board about equitable access to district gym facilities.
[Click here to watch]
Student Board Representative Report
HHS Sophomore representative, Suerenidy McKenzie, shared start-of-year highlights, including the September 11th assembly and Salute to Service football game featuring a Chinook helicopter, strong starts for fall sports, and upcoming events like the fall play Charlotte's Web and homecoming.
[Click here to watch]
Hermiston Association of Teachers (HAT) Report
HAT's president, Alayna Andrade, thanked staff for a strong start to the school year and PLC collaboration, and gave a special shout-out to staff and students who helped coordinate the Salute to Service Chinook helicopter event honoring the 25th anniversary of 9/11. [Click here to watch] |
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| Board and Business Reports |
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Board Reports
Board members shared highlights from Salute to Service and the Melon Fest cross country meet. Following up on public comment, one board member questioned how gym facilities are scheduled; Dr. Mooney confirmed a meeting was already set this week to look into the issue.
[Click here to watch]
Financial Report
Katie Saul reported the district's beginning fund balance for 2026-27 is running about $285,000 short of projections due to State School Fund corrections, compounded by an additional $775,000 adjustment identified over the summer; the district used its full budgeted $2.7 million reserve draw to stay near the 10% fund balance target. She also flagged an expected ~4% PERS employer rate increase and a smaller Workers' Benefit Fund rate increase coming in January.
[Click here to watch]
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Enrollment Report
Dr. Mooney reported K–12 enrollment of 5,077 students as of August 31st. Board members discussed the roughly 800-student decline over the past eight years and how the district continues to right-size staffing and budget against enrollment trends.
[Click here to watch]
Integrated Plan Annual Report
Dr. Mooney presented the 2025-26 Integrated Plan Annual Report, noting the transition toward the state's new accountability system, career readiness as the district's chosen local measure, and plans to bring interim (MAP) assessment data to the board three times this year.
[Click here to watch]
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| Study Items & Action Items |
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