Beaverton Schools Move Forward with Boundary Changes

After months of discussion, the Beaverton School District this week finally approved boundary changes to the school map. The changes are necessary because the district is adding a sixth high school starting with the 2017-18 school year.

The addition of the school 0f in the South Cooper Mountain area means changes are needed to which elementary and middle schools feed into which high schools.

A committee had spent months studying the issue, holding hearings and taking testimony. In May, they made a recommendations, it would approved by then-Superintendent Jeff Rose, and then rejected by the board after parent protests.

Rose left for a job in Georgia and was replaced by Grotting who took over July 1. One of his first tasks was to evaluate the proposal, take parental concerns into consideration and make changes if he felt necessary.

Grotting's proposal that the board adopted made two changes to the May 2016 Plan that was rejected by the board.

Aloha-Huber Park K-8 Area. The May 2016 Boundary Plan split the Aloha-Huber Park K-8 attendance area between Aloha HS, Beaverton HS, and the new high school. I have decided to reunite the Aloha-Huber Park K-8 attendance area and assign the area to the Aloha HS attendance area.

Elmonica K-5 Area. The May 2016 Boundary Plan assigned a portion of the Elmonica K-5 attendance area to Aloha HS. I have decided to return the portion north of Walker Road commonly referred to as Waterhouse to Westview HS.

"I believe these two modifications, when combined with the original proposal, effectively (meet the) Board’s objectives for this project," Grotting said earlier this month. "I understand that for some this will be seen as a productive and effective proposal, while others will still be challenged to see the value."

Grotting said he made the proposal after studying new analysis conducted by staff and receiving new comments from the public.

The district says that athletic and activity coaches and advisors are working collaboratively to ensure all students at all of the high schools have access to courses and programs in which
they wish to participate. There will be opportunities for students to meet coaches, advisors and teachers throughout the winter and spring.

There wll be open houses and parent nights and other opporuntiies for students to get familiar with the new school. The district hasdrawn up a transition plan for students and parents.

Map from Beaverton School District