West Linn‑Wilsonville board declines to close any of three small primary schools amid budget debate

The West Linn‑Wilsonville School District board on Jan. 27 voted unanimously to not consolidate any of the three primary schools the administration had identified as “small schools” for the 2025‑26 school year.

The vote followed a lengthy public‑comment period and board deliberation on how to address a roughly $15 million projected budget shortfall for the coming school year. Supporters of the three schools — Bolton, Cedar Oak and Sunset — told the board that closures would break neighborhood ties, increase busing and traffic and reduce supports for students with special needs. District staff and board members said the district still faces a substantial structural gap and will continue to pursue other budget reductions and policy options.

Why it matters: The decision preserves the three neighborhood primary schools for the coming school year and delays any immediate restructuring tied to the district’s budget gap. Board members and staff said the district still must find roughly $15,000,000 in reductions; closing a single school had been projected in district materials to save about $1,450,000 at the school level. Parents and community groups warned that those savings would come at significant community and educational cost.

Public comment and themes

Speakers representing families, school volunteer groups and neighborhood alliances filled the public‑comment period, urging the board to keep the small schools open. Luke…