Estacada board outlines 14‑month plan to reconfigure schools for 2026–27; construction, naming and staffing timelines set

The Estacada School District on June 11 reviewed a detailed 12–14 month timeline to implement a board decision to reconfigure grade bands for the 2026–27 school year.

Superintendent Carpenter told the board the plan will move seventh and eighth graders to a separate wing at Estacada High School (with separate bell schedules and supervision). Estacada Middle School will be reconfigured to serve only fifth and sixth grades; Clackamas River will serve third and fourth grades; and River Mill Elementary will serve kindergarten through second grade. Carpenter said the decision opened many downstream steps and that staff brought a timeline to guide the work over the next year.

Key near-term construction and space moves include converting the current high‑school art room into the new main office, relocating the art program to the culinary/home-economics room during summer (work to begin July 2), and later reconfiguring the high‑school library as a middle-school commons space while preserving its library functions. The current boardroom space will be converted into three classrooms midyear to create classroom capacity. Carpenter described the work as “domino” projects where one move must happen before the next.

The district plans to identify building administrators this month so staff have that information over the summer before employees express preferences for assignments. Teacher and staff placement timelines given to the board include: committee work and teacher input through December and January, building assignments for certified classroom teachers in February, specific classroom assignments in March, and specialist assignments (case managers, therapists, speech/language personnel) in March in alignment with contract provisions.

Carpenter also told the board that renaming the current Estacada Middle School would be a community-driven process; the administration intends to bring a naming recommendation to the board in November or December, after public input. Playground replacement at a future fifth–sixth grade site was identified as a discretionary decision that will be considered in April; Superintendent Carpenter noted a new playground could cost about $250,000 and that funds are not currently available for a full replacement, so the board and community will prioritize scale and cost options.

Transportation logistics were a recurring operational issue in the discussion. Carpenter said federal guidance on minimum walk radii (students living within close proximity to a school are expected to walk) and newly drawn attendance zones will change some student walking and bussing patterns; staff expect in‑town bus routes to be busier and will study parent pickup logistics as they finalize routes. The administration indicated some short-term bus capacity issues are likely and will review options in May when routing decisions are finalized.

Carpenter emphasized the district will proceed with committees to collect teacher and community voice during the timeline, and noted that principals will make final staffing placements consistent with district practice and contract language. The board received the timeline as informational and staff will return with committee notes, facility plans and staffing proposals as decisions approach.