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Hillsboro board adopts supplemental transportation plan as traffic near Tamarack Elementary rises
Summary
The Hillsboro School District Board unanimously adopted a supplemental transportation plan meant to certify hazardous walking routes and allow the district to pursue a 7% reimbursement from the Oregon Department of Education.
The Hillsboro School District Board of Directors on a unanimous vote adopted a supplemental transportation plan designed to identify hazardous walking routes and qualify eligible students for a 7% state reimbursement of student transportation costs.
District transportation staff said the updates respond to new development and traffic changes near Tamarack Elementary and in South Hillsboro. “Through ODE, we can establish a supplemental plan, which then allows us to receive that 7% reimbursement of the transporting of students,” the staff presenter said during the board work session.
Why it matters: The board must certify routes and hazard zones to secure the reimbursement from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Staff told the board that recent construction — including the opening of a new bridge and extensions that have routed additional traffic onto Cornelius Pass and nearby streets — made some previously designated walk zones unsafe for students.
Details from staff: Transportation staff said the changes affect middle- and high-school walking eligibility differently from elementary school; the district uses ODE definitions to determine when a route is a hazard. The presenter pointed to two specific areas on a district map: a previously blocked route near a cluster of newly built apartments and businesses and a southern area newly opened by a bridge that staff said will become a multi-lane thoroughfare. Staff told the board they are coordinating with city engineers on longer-term mitigation such as crosswalk/roundabout improvements and sidewalks.
Board action and vote: Director Erica Lopez moved to adopt the supplemental transportation plan; Director Monique Ward seconded. The board voted by roll call: Erica Lopez, Patrick McGuire, Nancy Thomas, Monique Ward, Mark Watson and Yvette Pantoja all voted “aye.” The motion carried.
What the action does (and does not): Adoption authorizes the district to submit the supplemental plan to ODE for certification of hazard zones and to pursue the associated 7% reimbursement on qualifying runs. Staff emphasized the plan itself is a certification of walking/route hazards and does not immediately change bus routes until staff completes route adjustments and publishes them.
Next steps: Staff said they will continue coordination with city transportation officials about future traffic mitigation and will bring any operational routing changes back to the board as required.
Attribution: Quotes and program details above come from the district transportation presentation to the board and the roll-call vote recorded in the board minutes.
