Big milestone this week: Our new OCHS softball field is officially complete! The ribbon cutting ceremony was Thursday, and we can't wait for our student-athletes to take the field. 🥎✨
Meanwhile, 2025 bond project progress continues:
⚾️Turf installation ongoing at OCHS fields (Varsity Baseball and the multipurpose field)
🏫Permit packages have been submitted for Holcomb & John McLoughlin Elementary
📦Planning is underway for Candy Lane's transition to our King campus (a temporary move for the 2026-2027 school year while construction is being done)
📐Design work is moving forward for Pioneer Stadium
🧱CTE design work is also moving forward at OCHS. We've completed the design phase and have started the procurement process for items with the longest lead times to receive (doors, frames, hardware, etc.)
Our community's investment in updated learning spaces is taking shape! Stay tuned for more updates!
(Photos are of OCHS Varsity Baseball field being prepped for turf surfaces)
🥎It was a beautiful, sunny day to celebrate something special for our students and community! ☀️
Yesterday we officially opened our newly turfed softball field at Oregon City High School with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Members from our softball team and local softball community joined us for this celebration, as well as school board members, bond team members, and Community Bond Oversight Committee members!
OCHS Softball players then held their first practice on the new turf surface.
This project is one of several in the fields and grounds updates being worked on in phase 1 of our 2025 capital bond projects. Other projects in this phase include new turf installations at the OCHS varsity baseball field and the multipurpose field directly behind OCHS.
The new turf creates a safer, more durable playing surface that will allow for more consistent practices, games, and outdoor learning opportunities throughout the year—rain or shine.
We’re grateful for the support of our community and look forward to more celebrations as the rest of our projects are completed. These are your bond dollars at work!
🥎It was a beautiful, sunny day to celebrate something special for our students and community! ☀️
Yesterday we officially opened our newly turfed softball field at Oregon City High School with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Members from our softball team and local softball community joined us for this celebration, as well as school board members, bond team members, and Community Bond Oversight Committee members!
OCHS Softball players then held their first practice on the new turf surface.
This project is one of several in the fields and grounds updates being worked on in phase 1 of our 2025 capital bond projects. Other projects in this phase include new turf installations at the OCHS varsity baseball field and the multipurpose field directly behind OCHS.
The new turf creates a safer, more durable playing surface that will allow for more consistent practices, games, and outdoor learning opportunities throughout the year—rain or shine.
We’re grateful for the support of our community and look forward to more celebrations as the rest of our projects are completed. These are your bond dollars at work!
Here's what's new:
🥎 OCHS Varsity Softball Field has new turf installed! Watch for our ribbon cutting event soon to come!
⚾️ OCHS Varsity Baseball Field has a new scoreboard.
📖 Our bond team is visiting our Phase 2 schools (Candy Lane, John McLoughlin, and Holcomb) to present floor plans and get more detailed feedback from key staff focus groups. They are also continuing to go through the permitting and land use processes so that construction can begin this summer.
🛠️ We're requesting proposals from moving companies to help with the moving during construction.
There's much more to come, so stay tuned!
✔ Years of service : I’ve officially served as an OCSD board member for the past two and a half years. However, my relationship with the school district goes back much further, as a parent, educator, and school volunteer.
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I truly believe OCSD is home to some of the most dedicated families, educators, and students around and I feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful, supportive community.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: The support shows up everywhere whether it’s cheering in the stands or applauding at the theater.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: One of the most meaningful moments of my board service was being part of the school board when the most recent school bond passed, knowing it will make a lasting, positive difference for our schools and community for many years to come.
Thank you, Dr. Heidi, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✔ Years of service : This my 7th year in OC and I also served 4 years in Canby (so all total I am in my 11th year.)
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I believe in public education and I want all kids to have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: I love how our community supports our student activities, fundraising, sports, volunteering and all round putting kids first.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: My memorable highlight is seeing our community support the needed facility infrastructure by passing our school bonds!
Thank you, Pamela, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✔ Years of service : 6 whole months!
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I love how the Oregon City School District continues to move in the right direction. I'm proud of our many wins (school bond, test score improvements, CTE, expanded opportunities for all our students, etc) and am extremely optimistic about where OC is heading.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: I'm encouraged and inspired to see our families, educators, and students work together with a shared commitment to helping kids succeed.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: The first 6 months have been a whirlwind but breaking ground for the bond's first phase is definitely a highlight (check out social media to see pics of our new softball fields). I cannot wait for later this year for when we start inside our schools. A lot of work is ahead but it's such an exciting time for OC.
Thank you, Ryan, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✨⚾ Something BIG is happening up at the ballfield! ⚾✨
A brand-new scoreboard was installed at the Oregon City High School baseball field. Watch it here: https://youtube.com/shorts/1XajwMxYvR4
We can’t wait to see it in action. 💙⚾
✔ Years of service : I have been a board member for just about two and a half years.
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I am motivated by so many things, but really I think this job is about making sure that all of our kids and staff have what they need to succeed, and that by ensuring that, ensuring that our community succeeds as well.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: Maybe I’m biased, because my kids have had such great teachers, but I am so proud of the people who work in our schools and so grateful to be able to work alongside them. We have such a diverse, vibrant community here, and I think our school district is a shining example of everything good about this place we choose to live.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: It would be easy to say my biggest highlight thus far is passing our bond, which we are using to finally transform our elementary schools. The biggest highlight, though, has been getting to hear kids talk about how much they love school and their community, and getting to be a part of watching them succeed. Being a school board member is a lot of work and a lot of time, but absolutely worth it.
Thank you, Alex, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
Request for Proposals: Bond Movers!
See the full RFP on Oregon Buys: https://oregonbuys.gov/bso/external/bidDetail.sdo?docId=S-P03062-00015770&external=true&parentUrl=close
✔ Years of service : Just starting my 5th year
✔ What motivates you to serve? : My motivation is to see the successes of our students as they enter into each stage of their education. I love seeing the confidence, the growth, and the opportunities for them to explore.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: One thing I love about our district is the amazing , dedicated , and hard working educators that show up each day to share their love for education with our students.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: My highlight is the district, staff and community all embracing our Narcan policy, training on substance use and signs of an overdose with the education of fentanyl and other drugs. We chose to be proactive and not wait until tragedy happened to react.
I will always be so thankful to be able to share Keaton’s story to educate our youth and give them the information to deter them from experimenting with illicit substances.
Thank you, Michele, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✔ Years of service : This is my third year.
✔ What motivates you to serve? : Our students! As a parent, I am committed to supporting a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment for our kids.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: The people! I enjoy getting to meet and work with so many amazing people- including students, staff, parents, and community members.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: Helping to support bringing our community together to pass our bond and getting to spend time in our schools.
Thank you, Katie, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
January is School Board Appreciation Month!
Our school board members are volunteers who give their time to help guide our district—listening, learning, and making decisions with students at the center. This month, we’re saying thank you for the commitment, care, and countless hours behind the scenes.
Learn more about our school board members.
Thanks to 2025 Bond dollars at work, our softball fields just leveled up! The new turf is officially in—designed with durability, safety, and long-term value in mind.
✨ What this means for everyone:
• More reliable fields for practices, games, and events
• Safer, more durable surface
• Lower maintenance needs over time
• Taxpayer dollars making a real impact for students and our community
These are your bond dollars at work. 💛
We’re continuing to make steady progress across multiple bond-funded projects throughout the district! Here’s a snapshot of where things stand:
🏫 Phase 2 Elementary Schools (Candy Lane, Holcomb, John McLoughlin):
Design development is complete, with teams reviewing staff feedback from November and continuing cost estimating. Community, staff, and family input gathered through conferences is helping inform next steps. Planning is underway for how schools will operate during construction, including preparations for Candy Lane’s temporary transition to the King campus. Vendor selection is also underway for moving services and new playground equipment.
🔧 Oregon City High School – CTE:
Design development is complete, and the project remains in the design phase as plans are refined.
⚾ OCHS Fields & Grounds:
Construction continues to move forward—even through heavy rain. Softball facilities and fencing are complete, work is resuming on the baseball field, and the project remains on track for completion before the spring athletic season. Several new scoreboards are now installed!
🏟️ Pioneer Stadium:
Cost estimating and coordination with the City are ongoing, with construction currently anticipated for summer 2026.
Thank you to our staff, students, families, and community members for your continued feedback and support as we build safe, updated, and future-ready learning spaces for our students.
💰 Financial Health Check: The bond program continues on solid financial footing. Interest earnings of $1.8M through October were approved to strengthen our program reserve.
🏗️ Construction Progress: Work is well underway on our Fields and Grounds improvements at Oregon City High School, with dramatic progress visible on the athletic facilities and stormwater systems.
📐 Phase 2 Schools Moving Forward: Design development is progressing for Candy Lane, Holcomb, and John McLoughlin elementary schools, with construction planned for summer 2026. Community input sessions helped shape updated plans for these three campuses.
🔍 Transparency in Action: The committee approved all proposed budget transfers and reviewed detailed financial reports to ensure taxpayer dollars are being managed responsibly.
👀 Stay Informed: August's meeting minutes and December's presentation are on our website at www.ocschoolbond.org. The next CBOC meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2026.
Thank you to our volunteer committee members for their dedicated oversight and to our community for supporting these critical improvements to our schools!
Check out last week's Hot Minute in District 62! Each week we highlight a different part of our district with a short video. Last week we visited Candy Lane and heard 5th grade students present their ideas about our upcoming bond projects at their school. You can tune in each week on our YoutTube channel. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss out!
https://youtu.be/wdAjYWWcM48
Our bond team is seeking input on our phase two project conceptual designs! Learn more about the projects at our phase 2 schools by visiting their bond projects webpage on our bond website.
Candy Lane Elementary
Holcomb Elementary
John McLoughlin Elementary
Oregon City High School Career and Technical Education Expansion
Provide Input Here!
Last week, our Director of Bond Projects, David Hobbs facilitated a workshop with our school board members. Watch their meeting and listen to the discussion here: https://youtu.be/mUc5OW90clg