When parents drop off kids at Bolton Primary School in West Linn, they see the principal, Derek Porter, greeting every child at the door. Weekly, students gather for a fun school meeting where they can share jokes, sing, or dance. This simple tradition helps kids feel confident and connected, making their school environment feel like home.
Bolton is one of the smaller schools in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, which consists of 16 schools in a wealthy suburb of Oregon. However, like many school districts across the country, they are facing financial woes. Declining enrollment has made it tough for districts to operate, leading them to consider closing schools.
Just last year, the West Linn-Wilsonville school board decided to keep all primary schools open, deferring a plan to consolidate smaller schools. But now, the board is revisiting that decision, facing the prospect of closing two schools shortly after parents voted to approve a bond meant for improvements across the district.
Budget cuts have forced the district to tighten its belt by nearly $15 million. Many staff positions, including teachers and administrators, have been reduced due to falling enrollment. While schools in Wilsonville are gaining students, West Linn is shrinking. With a new school, Frog Pond Elementary, set to open in 2026, the focus seems to be shifting.
Despite the recent bond for construction upgrades, the district is now proposing to close two schools, including Bolton, along with suspending programs like preschool and a Mandarin immersion initiative. This has led to a sense of betrayal among parents who feel the district isn’t keeping its promises.
Kieran O’Connor, a parent with children at Bolton, expressed frustration: “It feels like a broken promise multiple years in a row.” Many parents are vocal about their concerns, questioning the district’s enrollment predictions and budget decisions. In a listening session held by the school board, a student passionately shared their desire to stay at Bolton, underscoring the importance of smaller class sizes and personalized attention.
Experts like Marguerite Roza from the Edunomics Lab remind us that while small schools can offer close-knit environments, they can also strain resources, making it difficult to provide a wide range of programs and amenities. For example, if opening ten small schools requires ten administrators, more funding is necessary to maintain essential programs like art or sports.
The district’s communication about the proposed closures has been met with skepticism. Parents and community members argue that they need clearer information and a fair process for discussions about school closures. There’s a growing sentiment for better leadership to restore trust in the school board. Jennifer Zhao, a mother of students in higher grades, emphasized, “We’re losing faith in the district. We need new leadership.”
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: maintaining trust between school leaders, parents, and students is vital. As districts face tough choices, the way they communicate and engage with their communities will shape their future. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how West Linn-Wilsonville navigates these challenges.
For more insights on education funding and policies, check the Edunomics Lab for research findings.
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