Enrollment drops again, to 17,901 students
The district's October 2026 enrollment report, posted for the October 27 board meeting, counts 17,901 students on October 1, 2026, down 417 (2.3%) from a year earlier.
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Friday, November 13, 2026
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Board adopts immigration-enforcement policies
On September 16, 2026, the board adopted policies KNA, KNA-AR1 and KNA-AR2. They govern how staff respond to immigration enforcement on district property and how such requests are logged. The policies had a first reading on August 19, after a board member brought a sample policy in July.
New reading and math curriculum adopted
The board adopted Amplify CKLA for reading on June 2, 2026 and new math materials, including Amplify Math for grades K-5, on September 1, 2026. The math adoption had been postponed for two years.
Teachers start using an "AI use scale" to tell students when AI is allowed
At the August 18, 2026 board retreat, the district's technology chief said a new AI student use scale is part of the district's generative AI guidance for 2026-27. Teachers will use it to tell students how much AI, if any, is allowed on a lesson or assignment. Magic School AI is the tool given to all students; Gemini, NotebookLM and Copilot are mainly for staff.
New principals at Imlay, Mooberry and North Plains elementary schools
At its August 18, 2026 retreat the board was introduced to new principals Graciela Cerda at Imlay Elementary, Aurora Lopez at Mooberry Elementary and Devin Dye at North Plains Elementary. Jonathan Lopez-Arana is the new athletic director at Hillsboro High School.
Locker room remodel and library addition moves to design
On July 27, 2026, the board hired Pillar Consulting as design professional for a locker room remodel and library addition at the high school. The district had issued requests for proposals in May and July. In September, the business manager reported the project moving forward as planned. Other 2026 work includes new grade school interior doors, gutters and ice dams, and a reroofed storage building.
Interim superintendent hired through June 2027 at $166,000
At an emergency meeting on July 8, 2026 the board hired Kurt Evans, formerly of The Dalles High School, as interim superintendent through June 30, 2027. The contract pays $166,000.
Superintendent, principal and board member leave amid board conflict
In July 2026 Superintendent Kristin Whitley resigned, after the principal and the district's mental health counselor had also left. On July 7, 15-year board member Ann Kelly resigned during the meeting, saying the board president was interfering with administrators and creating a toxic environment for staff. Only three board members remained until two new members were appointed August 4.
North Wasco County School District 21
Board adopted a $65.1 million budget for 2026-27
On June 25, 2026 the board adopted the 2026-27 budget (resolution 26-27-01) at $65,104,541 and levied property taxes, after the budget committee approved $64,896,163 in May.
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North Wasco County School District 21
Three board seats changed hands by appointment this year
Directors resigned in February and May 2026, and the board filled the Zone 2 seat by appointment in April and the Zone 3 seat in June. Appointed directors serve until the next regular election.
Second year of budget cuts: $10.2 million and about 49 jobs
The 2026-27 budget plans $10.2 million in cuts that affect about 49 positions: 36.5 teachers and other licensed staff, 11 classified staff and 1.4 administrators. Middle and high schools will have more students per staff member. This comes after a $20 million cut in 2025-26, which the district calls its biggest ever.
Adopted budget funds fewer teachers and student-support positions
The 2026–27 budget plans about 159 fewer full-time-equivalent positions across all funds. Budgeted social workers fall from 48.5 to 37.5 FTE, and guidance counselors from 131 to 119.5. Some special-education staffing increases.
Seismic upgrade of elementary and preschool wing underway
Using a state seismic rehabilitation grant, Dufur is reinforcing the elementary and preschool wing of the K-12 school. On June 2, 2026 the board picked Griffin Construction as construction manager/general contractor for phase 2, and investigation work in classrooms began in October.
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