September 5, 2024

Dear WLWV School Community,

At the August 20, 2024 Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) meeting, the citizen members of the committee directed the school district staff to establish two (2) Task Force groups to engage with the community this school year on two key projects:

1. Examining Smaller Schools in West Linn 

2. Establishing Frog Pond Primary School Boundary 

These two Task Force groups will only include parents-guardians of primary school students and will not include staff. Our PTA/PTO/PTSO leaders will be asked to assist in selecting volunteer parents for these groups. Forming Task Force groups of our school community’s parents-guardians ensures a transparent and representative process with these projects. 

We ask that you read further to learn more about the project that each Task Force will be engaged in. 

1. Smaller Schools in West Linn Task Force

Scope of Engagement: After learning about the consideration factors with operating smaller schools, the Long Range Planning Committee directed the district to assemble a Small Schools Task Force to examine more deeply the district’s smallest primary schools and engage the community in the same considerations:

• Cost of Core Operations - what is the cost of the core operations of a school even with a very small enrollment?

• Cost of Renovations - what does it cost to bring a smaller school in alignment with other schools so that there is attention to stewardship, facilities equity, and adequate support to the educational program?

• Educational Program and Services Impact - what are the educational impacts that emerge when schools become too small, not by design, but by external influences?

Enrollment Consideration: A recent 10-year enrollment projection completed by demographic experts Flo Analytics in July 2024 predicts a continued overall decline in enrollment district-wide over the next 5 years (-300 students) followed by a slight but steady increase the following 5 years (+300). The returned increase in enrollment largely occurs in Wilsonville as the Frog Pond neighborhood develops, while West Linn enrollment is predicted to remain relatively stagnant or still declining in some schools. Factors for declining enrollment are many, including limited affordable housing available in West Linn for young families, an overall challenging housing market (mortgage rates) affecting home buyers, and decreasing nation-wide birth rates.

Three Smallest Schools in West Linn: The Small Schools Task Force (SSTF) will examine in particular the three smallest West Linn Primary Schools (Cedaroak Park, Stafford, and Bolton) with enrollment numbers that are at-or-under 350 students and are well under their school occupant capacities: Cedaroak Park 333; Stafford 345; Bolton 226 (based on official enrollment in 2023-2024). Enrollment projections indicate that these schools will remain at-or-under 350 students 10 years later in 2033-2034: Cedaroak Park 346; Stafford 356; Bolton 236. 

Outcome of Task Force: Potential Small School Consolidation Decision by School Board

To be clear, no decision has been made at this time. 

The Small Schools Task Force will review current research on the impacts of smaller schools, engage the community to gather their input, consult with primary school staff, and provide their findings to the Long Range Planning Committee by December 2024.

The Long Range Planning Committee will consider the SSTF’s findings and the viability of smaller schools in light of the district’s budget reductions due to declining enrollment and state school funding inadequacies as well as projected facility improvement costs needed at each of those schools. (Note: The district made $10 million in reductions to the 2024-2025 school budget and anticipates another significant reduction to the 2025-2026 budget.) The LRPC would make a presentation to the School Board in January 2025. 

Any decision about either retaining a smaller school or potential consolidation (ie, closing, merging) in light of enrollment decline, budget implications and facility needs would be made by the School Board in January 2025.

2. The Frog Pond Boundary Task Force

Scope of Engagement: Frog Pond Primary School is near completion and will open the fall of the 2025-26 school year. Located in the Frog Pond Neighborhood of Wilsonville, the new primary school will address projected growth which is scheduled to include more than 1,800 housing units in the next 10-plus years. 

With the opening of any new school, the district creates an attendance boundary. The Frog Pond Boundary Task Force will begin this fall to examine maps with potential boundaries, narrow down the options, and engage the parent community for feedback.

Outcome of Task Force: Final Boundary Map Adopted by the School Board
The Frog Pond Boundary Task Force will make a presentation to the School Board in early 2025 to provide time for prospective students and families to prepare for the transition to Frog Pond Primary. The final selection of the new boundary map will be made by the School Board. 

Third Party Consultation Group to Facilitate Community Engagement Sessions
The Long Range Planning Committee has directed district staff to contract with a third-party consultant to facilitate the community engagement sessions with both of these projects. This allows for a thorough, unbiased, and transparent process during each community engagement session, whether online or in person, and documentation of all input provided. 

Stay Informed, Engaged and Reach Out

We understand that emotions can arise with any discussion about the viability of smaller schools or changing schools due to a new boundary. We all want what is best for our students while maintaining a fiscally responsible and sustainable budget. We ask that parents-guardians, staff, and students stay informed through accurate information on the district website and newsletters instead of rumor or social media; be engaged in the various community sessions; and reach out to their principals or a district office leader with any questions or concerns along the way. The district will provide regular updates throughout the process. 

Thank you for your attention to these important upcoming Task Force projects. The district will continue to provide updates and information about the process, the community engagement opportunities with dates and locations, progress, presentations and outcomes. For the latest information, please visit the district website. 

Sincerely,
Kathy Ludwig, Superintendent