City presentation to Molalla River SD 35 urges planning ahead for urban growth boundary expansion and offers student internship

Matt Cortell, a city official for the city of Molalla, briefed the Molalla River School District board on Nov. 21 about two items that could affect the district: a voluntary local government internship for high school students and a pending urban growth boundary (UGB) expansion that could change future school land needs.

On the internship, Cortell said the program is unpaid, educational and flexible, and covers civics, public ethics, local government operations and workplace skills. He said parental consent and a volunteer waiver would be required and that instructors — including himself — are background-checked. Cortell invited the district to consider offering course credit by proficiency and to help shape the program. Board members responded favorably, with at least one member saying the internship would help build future local leaders.

Cortell then walked the board through the UGB expansion process, describing how a housing needs analysis and buildable lands inventory (HNA/BLI), an employment opportunities analysis and efficiency measures combine to define a 20-year land supply. He explained two paths for school districts: accept the statutory 25% "safe harbor" allowance for public facilities built into the UGB calculation, or provide an evidence-based facilities assessment under ORS 195.110 to justify additional land. Cortell noted Molalla had roughly 100 undeveloped acres inside the current UGB and said the city's sequential work plan anticipates completing efficiency measures in April and the UGB process by about March 2026.

Cortell recommended that if the district had concerns about running out of land within a 20-year planning horizon it could hire a consultant to produce or update an educational facilities assessment that would supply the facts needed in a UGB proceeding. He suggested the district could consult the same firm the city used (referred to in the presentation as 3J Planning) and offered to provide examples and a draft report for staff review.

District staff said the district’s master facilities plan is up to date and noted that recent planning work helped secure a $6 million grant; staff also committed to work with the city and consultants to determine whether an updated facilities assessment is needed. Cortell asked for district input on enrollment, facilities and location prior to the city's study deadlines; he suggested January 2026 as a useful milestone for district-provided information.

What happens next: The city will continue its sequential UGB process; district staff will review Cortell’s materials, follow up on the internship paperwork and decide whether to pursue an updated facilities assessment or rely on the 25% safe harbor. The city and district agreed to continue coordination as the UGB work progresses.