Corvallis school board adopts amended consolidation plan after marathon meeting; calls for boundary study

CORVALLIS, Ore. — The Corvallis School District 509J board voted late Friday to adopt an amended consolidation plan that will close Leticia Carson Elementary and Sheldon Middle School, convert Mountain View to a K–8 and reconfigure other elementary placements, while directing staff to study district‑wide boundary adjustments and a school‑of‑choice option.

The board adopted the measure after an extended public‑comment period in which dozens of parents, students, teachers and alumni urged trustees to delay decisions and request more community engagement. The final motion, moved by Therese and seconded by Chris, passed after amendments that require the district to investigate boundary changes “with attention to minimize impact on students previously impacted by consolidation” and to examine a school‑of‑choice model.

Why it matters: District leaders framed the move as a response to declining enrollment and multi‑year funding shortfalls that threaten programs and staff. Finance director Lauren Wolf told trustees that consolidation generates one‑time costs in the first year but…