Sherwood School Board Recap | March 9, 2026

SHERWOOD, Ore. – The Sherwood School Board met Monday, March 9. 

Board Chair Harmony Carson, Board Vice Chair Abby Hawkins, and directors Matt Kaufman, Hans Moller, and Matt Thornton were all present. 

There was no public comment. 

Superintendent update 

 Dr. Aaron Downs mentioned his visit to the Sherwood Education Foundation’s Sip and Sing fundraiser event, noting the group is incredible and raised a significant amount of money.

Downs said he had a chance to visit Cascadia High School in the state of Washington, which has 20 different high school programs of study, such as Career and Technical Education (CTE). Cascadia currently draws from 30 high schools and 10 different school districts. 

Consent agenda

The school board approved the consent agenda. Among the agenda items: A financial summary shows the forecast for the 2025-26 fiscal year as of Feb. 28, 2026.

General fund revenues held largely steady, and expenditures came in well below forecast in January and February.

In the Financial Summary for the January board meeting as of Dec. 31, 2025, it was noted that payroll expenditures were coming in under budget and should that continue, the outlook for the 2025-2026 school year could improve. 

Information and discussion

Sherwood Charter School Principal Joy Raboli provided a school update at the March 9 school board meeting.

Raboli recognized and honored the nearly 20-year partnership the charter school has had with the Sherwood School District. Raboli said the relationship with the district brings stability and excellence, as well as oversight and accountability. She added that the relationship is built on communication, trust, and shared goals. 

Gary Bennett, the district’s chief financial officer, addressed the school board on the district’s annual financial report audit for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2025. Bennett said the audit came out clean with no findings and that details on the audit will be presented at the April school board meeting. 

Results from the annual Superintendent evaluation were released.

“Dr. Downs carries himself with the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, integrity and represents our district honorably," said Board Chair Carson. "His engagement and visibility in schools and the community exhibits his commitment and care to Sherwood.” 

Action items

The school board voted to deny a request for an appeal hearing in connection with a decision by the superintendent in a public complaint, the details of which are not being released due to confidentiality. 

The board voted to authorize board leadership to start negotiations with the Sherwood Charter School.