Roseburg School Board To Consider Fir Grove Elementary Closure Wednesday Night

ROSEBURG, Ore. - The Roseburg School Board will meet Wednesday evening, October 28, to discuss a proposal to close Fir Grove Elementary School at the end of the current school year. The meeting agenda also includes possible action on the recommendation.

The proposal is part of the district's “Aligning to Thrive” report, released in September by Superintendent Jared Cordon. The report recommends reducing the number of elementary schools in the district from eight to seven, citing declining enrollment, rising operating costs and significant maintenance needs at aging school buildings.

Wednesday's agenda includes two items for the regular meeting: a discussion of the report with Cordon and consideration of the superintendent's recommendation. The second item is listed for action, meaning the board could vote on the proposed closure. However, the agenda does not indicate whether a final decision will be made that evening.

Under the recommendation, Fir Grove would close after the 2026-27 school year, with students reassigned to Eastwood, Hucrest and Fullerton IV elementary schools beginning in fall 2027.

The district's report identifies several factors behind the proposal. Enrollment has fallen from 5,842 students during the 2016-17 school year to 5,221 in September 2026, a decline of nearly 11 percent. Fir Grove currently serves fewer than 200 students, and the district says nearby schools have enough available classroom space to accommodate those students.

The report also identifies approximately $47.7 million in anticipated maintenance and facility needs across the district's elementary schools over the next decade. About $8.5 million of those needs are associated with Fir Grove, which was originally built in 1960.

District officials estimate that consolidation could reduce annual General Fund expenses by approximately $1.3 million, although the final savings would depend on staffing decisions and other factors.

Transportation was another consideration in the recommendation. According to the report, the proposed attendance boundary changes would allow students to attend nearby schools without adding transportation costs or creating lengthy bus rides.

If the board approves the closure, the district would begin planning the transition for students, families and employees. The report also calls for relocating specialized programs currently housed at Fir Grove and evaluating possible future uses for the school property.

The school board has not approved the closure, and Fir Grove remains scheduled to operate through the end of the current school year.

The regular board meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Roseburg Schools Central Office Boardroom at 1419 NW Valley View Drive. The meeting is open to the public, although no public comment period is listed on the agenda.

Following the regular meeting, board members are scheduled to hold a work session discussing potential virtual education options for the 2027-28 school year.

The October 28 meeting agenda is available online.

The Roseburg Receiver previously published a detailed breakdown of the superintendent's recommendation, including proposed attendance boundary changes, enrollment figures, facility concerns and the potential effects on students and staff.