Project Details
The proposed bond measure will fund the construction of a new Molalla River Middle School, fields and other facilities on the same site as the current school, demolish the existing Middle School and abate asbestos and other hazardous materials.
Why does the Middle School need to be replaced?
Current conditions include:
- Multiple School Closures due to failing heating, plumbing systems. Three years ago children had to attend school with no heat or water in the building for over two weeks in the dead of winter due to a catastrophic plumbing failure . This meant kids had to wear their winter coats inside the building and had to use portable toilets outdoors in weather that was at or below freezing. And just last month there was no school for two days because of a critical failure with the steam heating system that caused water to be raining from the ceilings.
- Health and Safety: Outdated fire safety, electrical, security systems, asbestos, poor air quality. Right now, Molalla River Middle School has none of the safety precautions that have become standard and expected for all schools in recent years.
- Lack necessary space, technology, vocational education. The Middle School no longer meets modern safety or educational standards.
Building a New Middle School means:
Builds a Safe, Secure and Healthy School to Serve Generations to Come
This bond will make our schools safer by updating security technology including additional cameras and automatic locking mechanisms and invest in with efficient ventilation systems that keeps our kids safe and schools open.
Provides a Better Opportunities for our Kids
Gives our kids a leg up with access to an updated school with modern technology, flexible learning spaces, and enhanced career and technical education opportunities.
No More Lost School Days
A new, functioning, efficient school building with systems build to last generations will allow our school district to thousands of dollars it has been pouring into a failing building
A Better Molalla
It improves our economy, updating our schools to enhance our property values and make Molalla a better place to live, work and raise a family
Project Specifics for Molalla River Middle School
Rebuild Molalla River Middle School on same site
- New construction on north side of Middle School property
- Rebuild to serve 700 students
- 2022-2023 Middle School enrollment is approximately 540 students; rebuild would allow for growth of 160 students
115,000 square foot school rebuild includes:
- One learning neighborhood per grade level (6th, 7th, and 8th grades – 3 total)
- Life Skills and Behavioral Program Support
- Support for multiple Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways
- Black Box Theatre for Drama/Media Production
- Music and Choir Rooms with shared practice/ensemble
- Main Gym (2 courts) suitable for full student body assemblies, bleacher seating for 700
- Auxiliary Gym (1 court)
- Secure courtyard, outdoor dining, covered play
- 3 baseball diamonds
- Soccer Field
- Irrigation for athletic fields
- Drop-off and bus loops and parking
- Meets current ADA accessibility requirements, energy code, and fire code
- Secure entry and perimeter, security cameras, and communication devices for student safety
- Abate hazardous material and demolish existing Middle School buildings
Project Cost
- $77.46 million project cost, inclusive of construction demolition, development and contingency costs
- Construction cost has been escalated to Summer 2026 (mid-point of construction)