Sherwood School District board authorizes Bowman House No. 5, approves up to $779,000 for land and construction

The Sherwood School District board on Tuesday adopted a resolution authorizing the relaunch of Bowman House Number 5 and allowing the superintendent to negotiate acquisition of a suitable subdivision lot and construction work with funding capped at $779,000.

The resolution read into the record affirmed the program as a core part of the district’s hands-on career and technical education (CTE) offerings and stated that "the board authorizes a total expenditure not to exceed 779,000 for the purchase of a subdivision lot and all associated construction costs." Brady Struts, who presented the program to the board, said the Bowman House is the "culmination of the construction pathway" and emphasized students do professional-level work alongside industry volunteers and contractors. The district’s presentation said the program began in 2011 and that four houses have been completed to date.

Board members praised the program’s cross-curricular reach — architecture students design plans, culinary students help with events, and interior design students work on finishes — and noted that alumni and local builders donate labor, materials and mentorship. The resolution directs district staff to use funds held in Fund 407 (Bowman House Fund) and Fund 404 (real property) and authorizes the superintendent or designee to negotiate for purchase and to execute transactions in compliance with Oregon Revised Statutes and district contracting policy.

The motion to approve the resolution was made by a board member (Speaker 10) and seconded; the vote carried 5–0. The board’s action authorizes staff to move into property search and contracting so construction can begin in advance of the 2026–27 school year, per the timeline in the resolution.