Poudre School District Board of Education Business Meeting Summary
Meeting Date: August 11, 2026
Meeting Body: Poudre School District Board of Education
Meeting Type: Business Meeting
Location: Johannsen Support Services Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
Overview
The Poudre School District Board of Education held its August 11, 2026 business meeting. The meeting included updates from district leadership, discussion of district operations and safety planning, recognition of the upcoming school year, board discussion items, a vacancy appointment process for an open director seat, and an executive session related to a student expulsion appeal.
This summary is based primarily on the meeting transcript. Packet materials were used only for additional meeting structure and background context.
Superintendent Report
Welcome to the 2026–27 School Year
The superintendent welcomed the community to the 2026–27 school year and shared updates about preparations for students and staff returning to school.
The district recently welcomed new educators through a new employee event held at Wellington Middle High School. The superintendent highlighted the importance of welcoming new staff members and thanked employees and volunteers who helped organize the event.
The superintendent also noted that teachers had returned for professional development activities before students returned to buildings.
Weather Monitoring and Heat Safety Procedures
The superintendent discussed ongoing monitoring of weather conditions and the district’s procedures for responding to extreme heat.
The superintendent noted that the district has experienced different weather-related challenges in recent years, including heat days, wind days, and snow days.
The district’s heat protocol considers:
- Forecasted temperatures.
- The National Weather Service heat risk index for Larimer County.
- The impact of conditions on student and staff safety.
The superintendent explained that if forecasted temperatures are above certain thresholds, including temperatures above 90 degrees for a single day or three consecutive days combined with a red or magenta heat risk index, the district may strongly consider:
- A two-hour early release.
- A full school closure.
The superintendent acknowledged that weather-related schedule changes can create challenges for families and employees, particularly because schools provide childcare services for younger students. However, the superintendent emphasized that student and employee health and safety remain the priority.
The district is continuing work to address air-conditioning needs, including installation efforts at some school buildings.
Board Meeting Actions and Discussion
Agenda Approval
The board considered approval of the meeting agenda.
No changes to the agenda were proposed, and the meeting proceeded with the published agenda.
Director District F Vacancy Appointment
The board considered filling the vacant Director District F seat.
After discussion and review, a motion was made to appoint Oslam Gherkin to fill the vacancy for Poudre School District Director District F.
The appointment would serve the remainder of the term until a successful candidate is elected and qualified in the November 2027 regular biennial school election.
The motion was seconded.
Vote Result
The board vote was:
- Carla Bays — Aye
- Scott Schellenbauer — No
- Dr. Andrew Spain — Aye
- Jessica Zamora — Aye
The motion passed 3–1.
Executive Session
The board moved into executive session following the public portion of the meeting.
The executive session was called to discuss matters related to:
- An appeal of the decision to expel Student 27-01, where public disclosure could adversely affect involved individuals.
- Protected documents related to the student expulsion appeal.
- Legal advice regarding the process and procedures associated with the appeal.
Individuals identified as invited participants included district leadership, administrators, the student and parents involved in the appeal, and legal representatives.
The board stated that after the executive session concluded, it would return to the boardroom for an action item. The action item would be recorded but not televised.
Key Takeaways
- The district is preparing for the 2026–27 school year with new educator onboarding and staff professional development activities underway.
- The district continues monitoring extreme weather conditions and maintaining heat-related safety procedures.
- The board appointed Oslam Gherkin to fill the vacant Director District F position by a 3–1 vote.
- The board entered executive session regarding a student expulsion appeal and related legal matters.
Meeting Context
This summary is intended to help community members understand the topics discussed and actions taken during the meeting. It is an independent summary of publicly available meeting materials and does not replace official district records or meeting minutes.
