On March 10, 2025, the Greater Albany Public Schools district held their routine board meeting with reauthorized public comment. In this board meeting, the school board announced many new changes coming into effect at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Amongst the barrage of announcements in what is to come, some that stuck out are that the district is reportedly in a $6 million dollar deficit that will force them to make some sudden and noticeable changes to GAPS schools. These new changes involve new lunch providers for students across the district. The most notable announcement made during the meeting by the school board mentioned changes in staff size. 

     This new policy is aimed at cutting staff numbers in order to meet the increase of wages for staff. It is occurring due to alterations on the GAPS educator staff contracts from the strike in November. 

For more information, visit the GAPS website at https://albany.k12.or.us/

Student Voices:

“I think we’re already pretty understaffed as we are, and so to get rid of even more teachers, would maybe restrict a lot of the classes that can be taught, so maybe electives and some extracurriculars will be cut.” – Senior Holden Hart

“They won’t get as much of an experience with other teachers, because each teacher is different. I feel like that would affect the experience of each class.” – Freshman Izzy House 

“If we’re cutting teachers and getting rid of them to pay the other teachers more, I feel like that’s not really solving the problem. It’s just making it worse for other people and a little better for somebody else.” – Junior Mae Duarte

“I honestly think that’s not the best choice. I think it’s kind of lame, because I like all our staff, and I think they’re good people, and I don’t think firing a bunch of people is the right option, even if it means higher wages.” – Sophomore Evelyn Maqtingly