Boundary Updates

We are reaching out to share important information about a potential boundary adjustment within the Tigard-Tualatin School District.  As we consider the needs of our schools and students, we are evaluating boundary adjustment options that would increase enrollment at Art Rutkin Elementary School beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Currently, Rutkin serves 134 students, and we are weighing options that would increase that number to between 200 and 300 for next fall.  The purpose of this message is to provide information to Deer Creek families about the potential changes, and make you aware of opportunities to provide input ahead of any recommendations being made to the School Board.

As you can see from the graphics below (or in the attached PDF), two of the three options TTSD is considering would impact a portion of the families living in the Deer Creek Elementary attendance area. These options are numbered randomly and not in any order of preference:

1. Option one would shift approximately 79 students from Deer Creek to Art Rutkin.  On the map below labeled “Art Rutkin Boundary Change Option One,” the area shaded pink would be the impacted area for Deer Creek.
2. Option two would shift approximately 79 students from Mary Woodward to Art Rutkin.  On the map below labeled “Boundary Change Option Two,” the area shaded pink would be the impacted area for Mary Woodward.
3. Option three would shift approximately 158 students from both Deer Creek and Mary Woodward to Art Rutkin. On the map below labeled “Boundary Change Option Three,” the areas shaded pink would be the impacted areas for both Deer Creek and Mary Woodward.

We understand that boundary changes have a significant impact on families, and we are committed to an open and transparent process.  Ahead of any recommendations being made to the Board, we will provide opportunities for community feedback to ensure that all voices are heard.  On March 3, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Deer Creek library, and March 4, at 6:30 in the Mary Woodward Library. TTSD staff will host an input session at which families can learn more about the boundary change options and offer input.  For families that cannot attend in person, a survey will be offered to collect input instead.  We have also developed a Frequently Asked Questions document that can be a resource for information related to these boundary change options.

Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we work to create balanced and sustainable enrollment across our schools. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Lisa Burton in our Community Relations Department at lburton@ttsd.k12.or.us or (503) 431-4000.

PDF of Map One

PDF of Map Two

PDF of Map Three

Dear TTSD Families,

Earlier this week we asked you to provide survey responses on a potential 2025-26 boundary adjustment. Three proposals, designed to boost enrollment at Art Rutkin Elementary, could have implications for Mary Woodward and Deer Creek families. We appreciate receiving a number of survey responses and would like to share some answers to common questions and concerns.

We’ve included our responses below, and have added them to our FAQ that is available on the Boundary Updates webpage.

Also, we look forward to seeing many of you at two public meetings next week: March 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Deer Creek and March 4 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Woodward. After hearing from families, we are also planning a meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. at Art Rutkin on March 18 at which a preferred boundary proposal will be discussed. The March 18 meeting will also allow families a firsthand view of the new Rutkin campus. 

As always, we appreciate your opinions and understand that any proposed change such as this creates challenges. We are here to listen and do our best to create opportunities for our more than 11,000 students to thrive.

What effects will these proposed changes have on class sizes and teacher assignments?

The District works to balance class sizes at and between every school based on enrollment. To meet our students’ needs, teachers will be assigned in accordance with our collective bargaining agreements.

How will this change affect feeder patterns and our students’ transitions to middle school and high school?

There will be no change in the current feeder patterns for middle and high schools due to the larger enrollment at Twality MS and to maintain the enrollment balance at Tigard and Tualatin high schools.  

• If students move from Mary Woodward to Art Rutkin they will remain in the Fowler Middle School, then Tigard High School feeder pattern.
• If students move from Deer Creek to Rutkin they will remain in the Twality Middle School, then Tualatin High School feeder pattern.

Our school has strong support for special needs students – how can we be sure that their needs would be served at Art Rutkin?

TTSD is committed to making sure that students with disabilities receive the support they need in their neighborhood schools. Special education programs are staffed based on the number of students who need services. As more students join Art Rutkin, the district will provide the necessary staff and resources to support the program. TTSD has a longstanding reputation of providing excellent special education. 

Will our current fourth-graders (going into fifth grade this fall) have to change schools?

No. Incoming fifth-graders will be allowed to stay at their current school, and their siblings may stay there with them for one year.

Won’t this boundary adjustment create a disruption for students having to make new friends and adapt to new environments? And what about impacts on parents who have invested time and energy into parent organizations?

There’s no question that making a school change is challenging for students and their families. We are committed to making transitions as smooth as possible and helping assure a sense of belonging for those affected students and their families. Districts across Oregon and the country regularly make boundary change proposals designed to balance enrollment and ensure equitable opportunities for students.   

Dear Rutkin/Deer Creek/Woodward Families,

First, we want to thank you all for the strong turnout this week at two evening meetings to discuss three boundary change proposals for the 2025-26 school year. We appreciate your investment in your neighborhood school, your interest in the process, and your desire for complete and timely information. 

Surveys and in-person meetings have produced mixed feedback on our proposals ranging from relief for a shortened commute and excitement to learn in a new building to frustrations over being uprooted from a beloved school community and uncertainties that lie ahead. We empathize with families that have shared criticism and recognize that inevitably there will be some dissatisfaction with our final decision. We are committed to listening, and being transparent in our communication. Ultimately we need to make a decision that prioritizes our district’s long-term planning. 

Moving forward we are exploring ways to  provide transportation accommodations, and other creative paths to minimize family disruptions. Other suggestions are welcome and will be considered. Again, no final decisions have been made.

Our next steps are to identify a preferred option to be shared publicly by March 17, with opportunities to visit Art Rutkin the following evening. The recommendations will be provided to the Board only after all input has been reviewed. 

Again, we appreciate your engagement, honest feedback and commitment to schools. We know accurate information is paramount during this process. In the spirit of accurate information we have posted the presentation slide deck and updated FAQs that we will continue to keep current. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 
Dr. Iton Udosenata