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District to hold townhall on potential Mist Elementary expansion to third classroom

Vernonia School District Board of Directors · April 9, 2026
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Summary

Superintendent Jim Helmen recommended a townhall (in-person and online) to gather community input on adding a third classroom at Mist Elementary to rebalance enrollment; ADM funding for rural attendance would not be available until the following year.

The Vernonia School District will hold a townhall to gather community input on a possible expansion of Mist Elementary to a third classroom, administrators told the board April 9.

Superintendent Jim Helmen and Principal Michelle Eagleson said expanding Mist could alleviate blended classes at Vernonia Elementary by shifting enrollment; Helmen warned that additional Average Daily Membership (ADM) funding for rural attendance would be received the following year, so the district would see a financial impact only after students were enrolled the next fiscal year. The board asked that the townhall also be offered online for community members who cannot attend in person.

Board members discussed building sustainability and operational capacity if Mist adds students. Joanie Jones described the school as an asset to the community and volunteered support during outreach efforts; the board will schedule the townhall and return with community feedback before making a final decision.