 Planning moves ahead for new K-5 school on McDaniel
Following the passage of Beaverton School District’s capital construction
bond measure in November 2006, plans are moving forward for two new
elementary schools in the fast-growing north end of the District.
Additional classrooms are also being planned for Sunset High School.
The yet-to-be-named school will be located on McDaniel Road just
east of where it intersects 119th. Groundbreaking is anticipated
for this summer with the projected opening set for September 2008.
The attendance boundaries have not been finalized, according to Maureen Wheeler,
district spokesperson.
“Later this spring, the community will be invited to nominate names for
the new school,” says Wheeler. “Sally Bunnell, resident historian
and former BSD school board member, does a great job researching the history
of the area. She will submit a report to the School Board along with community
nominations. The School Board ultimately makes the decision on the school name.”
The school will be constructed of masonry and will be two stories high.
Play areas and an outdoor amphitheatre are proposed for the site.
 A group of local residents has been advocating for the two-acre parcel
at the north end of the school property to be acquired by Tualatin Hills
Park & Recreation
District (THPRD) and added to The Bluffs Park. The property is considered
too steep for school use. Developer Don Morissette has an option on the property
if the school district decides to put it on the market.
The district paid a total of $4.2 million for the 10-acre property.
The landowner refused to sell without including the two-acre slope.
The “remnant” is
close to the stub of 117th that runs south from Blackhawk. Residents
north of the school are hoping that an easement can be included that will
allow Bonny Slope and Ironwood children to walk to the nearby school.
THPRD General Manager Doug Menke says the district is interested
in the property, and that purchase isn’t out of the question but the
district is exploring all its options.
One option suggested by a local resident is to sell a portion of
the small piece of The Bluffs Park on South Road, currently undeveloped,
to pay for the new piece. This would open access for residents of
The Bluffs as well as Ironwood and Bonny Slope to the school property
without having to walk along busy McDaniel.
Allowing more children to walk to school would be a great outcome
both for the sake of their health and to cut vehicle use. We hope
all the parties can come together and find a solution.
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