The WEST Linn Wilsonville School District cost the city of West Linn $1.4M cash … AND after nearly 50 years of open space & athletic usage, Oppenlander Fields is now being sold to a developer. #FAIL
Voting in new leadership is what we should do when there is a lack of transparency and proactive leadership on behalf of the community. This is exactly what happened when the School District and City essentially both said “I’m Done” to preserving all 10-acres of Oppenlander in perpetuity for the community. See ENDORSEMENT and voting guidance, below.
Not only did the School Board vote unanimously to pave Oppenlander Fields, they also cost the City $1.4M (of citizen’s money) to pay both the School District’s and the City’s legal fees instead of negotiating in good faith to a reasonable citizen-facing agreement.
In parallel, the School Board:
- discovered a $15M deficit for next year
- is currently firing 59 teachers and staff
- told us they were surprised by PERS payment increases (even though they had been using “side accounts” to manage PERS costs for years)
- put small school closures on the table and then only deferred them for another year
- is now proposing a $140M – $230M bond measure
- is saying they will rehire teachers with the $175k left over from the Oppenlander sale at $7.875M. $175k does not cover a $15M deficit. They can only rehire two or three teachers with those funds.
ENDORSEMENT – MAY SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION
Ballots for the May election are due Tuesday, 5/21/25. The May election is a small turnout election – your vote will have extra impact this election and EVERY VOTE IS IMPORTANT & IMPACTFUL. PLEASE VOTE to formally share your frustrations!
Friends of Oppenlander PAC has endorsed, Christi Lanz, to replace current Board member Kirsten Wyatt. Christi is a talented fresh face with excellent insight and perspective … especially on finances and how the School District can do better while serving the community and being transparent.
Chair Taylor is stepping down from the Board with two new (and good) candidates running, Mike Selvaggio and Kara Clark. The PAC believes either candidate will be a good replacement.
Kelly Sloop, a consistent supporter of the City’s effort to acquire Oppenlander, is running unopposed.
Drop ballots into the mail by Tuesday – they are postpaid, or by 8pm into the ballot drop box at the Library or City Hall or another Clackamas County location.
NOVEMBER BOND MEASURE
The $140-230M November bond measure is being characterized as a “fix critical issues” bond. The PAC hope these new Board members will revisit the District’s finances and the community’s frustrations frustration before following through on such a generous November bond measure. We need and want good schools … and we want them to be efficient, and focused on the children and the community. Accountability and transparency are critical to make this happen.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The City’s final offer gave the District their full asking sales price, would save a portion of Oppenlander saved, and asked for the transaction to close in approximately 6 months – the same time it would take any developer to close (the District does not need the cash for Oppenlander for any immediate expenses so this costs them nothing), and Friends of Oppenlander would have been able to raise funds to preserve more park and trees.
The School Board rejected the City’s offer and instead directed District leadership (Superintendent Ludwig) to instead sell now at the highest price without regard to Oppenlander’s 40+ years of history serving West Linn children and residents, the unique value of Oppenlander as a recreation, social, and leadership development resource – leadership and social development are educational initiatives!
Visit https://friendsofoppenlander.org/updates/ to learn more about how we got to this point and why so many of us are so frustrated with the School Board, the Superintendent, and the City Council.
Friends of Oppenlander PAC has formally and informally endorsed new School Board candidates and is encouraging you to vote in the current May election (see above), saying we cannot reward the failure to prioritize students and families.
As we persist, albeit without the advantage of the City’s first right of refusal, we pledge to keep you informed and hope you will continue your engagement, interest, and support.
Best regards,
The Friends of Oppenlander team
Please click the green button to sign up for Oppenlander updates.
WITH YOUR HELP WE ARE STILL TRYING SAVE OPPENLANDER! Preserve and extend Oppenlander’s 40+ year legacy of community park, senior baseball fields, add a new playground and restrooms. We propose some development without, losing the entire park or all of the trees.
