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Board approves boundary change sending portions of Mary Woodward and Deer Creek to Rutkin Elementary
Summary
The board voted to adopt a boundary redistricting plan (option 3) that moves parts of Mary Woodward and Deer Creek school boundaries into Rutkin Elementary; the motion includes limited transfer opportunities and grandfathering rules for some rising fifth graders.
The Tigard‑Tualatin School District Board of Directors approved a boundary revision that shifts portions of Mary Woodward and Deer Creek elementary school attendance areas into Rutkin Elementary.
Interim director Kloske and community relations manager Lisa Burton told the board the change responds to demographer projections showing Rutkin operating under capacity while nearby schools have higher enrollment. The committee presented three alternatives and recommended “option 3,” which transfers portions of Woodward and Deer Creek into Rutkin with specific conditions for families.
Under the approved plan, rising fifth graders who wish to remain at their current school may do so with transportation provided and their siblings may stay for one year; after that period those students would attend Rutkin. Families of current third graders (rising fourth graders) may apply for a limited number of lottery transfer spots to remain at their present school for fourth and fifth grade; lottery selection would depend on grade‑level capacity and staffing constraints. The district said transportation beyond the first year is not guaranteed for lottery transfers.
Board and staff emphasized significant outreach: multiple community meetings, two surveys and targeted open houses. Burton said the volume and depth of parental input reflected deep attachments to neighborhood schools; the boundary committee added lottery and grandfathering provisions to respond to parent concerns while keeping class sizes and staffing within operational limits.
Directors discussed longer‑term constraints, particularly middle‑school feeder patterns. Several members said the district should consider future facility planning to address imbalanced feeder flows; staff noted Twillie Middle School’s higher enrollment complicates a single fix.
The motion to adopt option 3 with the transfer and lottery conditions passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The administration said next steps include outreach to affected families, HR and staffing adjustments as needed, and coordination of welcome events at Rutkin.
