West Linn-Wilsonville School District parents worried about school closures amid low enrollment

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Parents are voicing their concern over possible school closures in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District amid low enrollments across the state.

Several parents made it clear at a school board meeting this week that they want the district to look at alternatives other than closing schools, especially since kids are still struggling to get back on track and reconnect after the prolonged period of remote learning brought on by the pandemic.

Nearly 200 parents showed up to support and advocate for their schools during the West Linn-Wilsonville School Board meeting on Monday by wearing shirts and hats with the school names that could be on the chopping block, Portland Tribune reported.

Though enrollments are reportedly increasing in Wilsonville, they are on the decline across West Linn. As a result, three West Linn primary schools — Cedaroak Park, Bolton and Stafford — could be recommended to be closed or consolidated by a school district task force.

"If this is an enrollment decision, what other options for increasing enrollments have been considered? Have boundary changes been considered for balancing enrollment to try to keep neighborhood schools open and communities together? Sunset and Trillium both have high enrollments and border Bolton Primary and Cedaroak boundaries. Changing the boundaries would maintain community cohesion while making use of existing facilities," one parent testified during the meeting.

"We want to keep building this community — a community that is established now, right now. No heavy lifting is required to build this community. It's already there. Getting rid of that school would destroy what we've built. And why? Just because it's the smallest? We hope decisions are made beyond our school size because community is everything to us," another parent said.

Other than smaller enrollments, there are also concerns about tens of millions of dollars in renovations needed in deferred maintenance and upkeep at those schools. Another issue is that the school board is also struggling with a $10 million budget deficit and expects it will have to make more budget cuts in the next school year.

Meanwhile, the district is building a new elementary school in Wilsonville where there is a growing number of young children. More families are moving to Wilsonville since the housing prices are generally lower than in West Linn.

It's ultimately up to the West Linn-Wilsonville School District about whether or not they close or consolidate any schools. No activity along those lines is expected to happen for the remainder of the year. However, the task force created by the district is expected to give its recommendations on this issue by January next year.

The district told KOIN 6 News they did not have anyone available for an interview on Wednesday.