Estacada board approves K–2/3–4/5–6/7–12 reconfiguration to begin 2026–27

The Estacada School District board of directors on May 14 approved a districtwide reconfiguration that will make schools K–2, 3–4, 5–6 and move seventh and eighth graders into Estacada High School beginning in the 2026–27 school year.

The change, approved by voice vote after a motion by Vice Chair Bridal, is intended to address immediate building capacity issues the district says cannot be solved without a construction bond. Communications director Jennifer Berman, who led the district's growth-and-capacity committee, summarized the committee's recommendation: "The number 1 reconfiguration is a K-two school, a three-four school, a five-six school, seventh and eighth grade moving to the high school, and then 9–12 on the other wing of the building."

The board and superintendent described the action as an interim, operational fix rather than a long-term solution. Superintendent Ryan Carpenter told the board the change "gives us 14 months to plan and get ready" and said the district will continue community engagement and detailed operational planning in that period.

Why the change: district leaders said continued enrollment growth and building-by-building capacity limits left few options after last spring's construction bond failed. Carpenter said River Mill Elementary has higher enrollment when pre-kindergarten is counted and noted the district lacks space elsewhere. Finance staff earlier reported anticipated kindergarten enrollments of about 80 at River Mill and about 40 at Clackamas River, figures the board cited when discussing capacity pressures.

Implementation details remain to be finalized. Board members and district staff said they will work on schedules, separate entrances and other logistics to reduce contact between younger and older students in the same building. Jennifer Berman told the board the committee considered multiple options, including boundary adjustments and reopening Eagle Creek Elementary, but recommended the approved configuration as the best immediate response to current space constraints.

The board's discussion framed the move as a temporary measure: the superintendent and trustees repeatedly called it a stopgap likely to hold for "three to five years" if growth continues, and they urged renewed efforts to approve funding for longer-term construction and modernization.

Budget and facilities notes: board members said improvements required to accommodate the reconfiguration are included in the budget that will come before the board at the next meeting. Carpenter also reminded the board that a separate $2.4 million seismic grant project is underway, and that Estacada High School's main gym will be closed through the summer into the first week of school for grant-funded work; he said that project does not draw on the district general fund.

What happens next: the board approved the plan by voice/hand-raise vote (no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes). The board and administration said they will return with detailed schedules, safety plans, transportation logistics and communications for families during the 14-month planning period.

Officials emphasized continued community engagement and said district staff will solicit employee and family input while finalizing operational details ahead of the 2026–27 start date.