The West Linn-Wilsonville Long Range Planning Committee met on Wednesday, Nov. 13 for the first time since the passage of the district’s capital bond and local option levy measures. With the passage of the capital bond, the School Board will appoint a Bond Oversight Committee to oversee the progress of the bond as well as actively monitor and report to the School Board. In years past, the Long Range Planning Committee has served as the Bond Oversight Committee.

The LRPC reviewed election results during the Nov. 13 meeting, noting that the bond passed with 60.92 percent approval. More than 41 percent of West Linn-Wilsonville voters turned out for the November election. The 2019 bond measure passed with the highest percentage of votes in the school district’s history.

LRPC members also reviewed the status of the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching Program (OSCIM) Grant, which the district will receive now that the 2019 bond has passed. In the amount of approximately $7.2 million, the grant money will go to specific projects at Wood Middle School and the current Athey Creek building. The district is in the process of filing the necessary paperwork to receive the matching funds, which were awarded to the district in July. [READ MORE ABOUT THE NOV. 13 MEETING]

Earlier this month, the City of Wilsonville and West Linn-Wilsonville School District welcomed middle and high school students from Kitakata City, Japan. Kitakata City is the sister city of Wilsonville, with students staying with Wilsonville host families for 10 days in late October. Students visited various places in the greater Portland area, including West Linn-Wilsonville schools.

Students visited Boeckman Creek Primary, Meridian Creek Middle School, Wilsonville High School, and Lowrie Primary, interacting with WLWV students and learning about the similarities and differences between Japanese and American schools. 

At Wilsonville High School, Kitakata City students visited Wilsonville High Japanese Teacher Shinobu Sakurai Chrisman's Japanese II, III, and IV classes, sharing experiences and playing games. Shinobu's students visited Kitakata City last summer, providing international experiences for Wilsonville High students.

Wilsonville and Kitakata City have been sister cities for more than 30 years, visiting every other year.