Vernonia, along with other communities, suffered loss during the December 2008 flood. The flood devastated much of Vernonia's infrastructure, and the recovery requires the assistance of Oregonians with expertise and resources. The schools are located in the flood zone and must be relocated and rebuilt. Governor Kulongoski has designated an Oregon Solutions project to initiate a formal collaborative process to draw together a wide range of agency representatives, community leaders, and citizens with resources to ensure that Vernonia's school children have safe, healthy, and educationally sound school facilities.

Project Documents and Materials

• Governor Kulongoski Project Designation Letter April 15, 2008 [pdf]
• April 22, 2008 Team Meeting Notes [pdf]
• May 27, 2008 Team Meeting Notes [pdf]
• Vernonia Schools Site Map [pdf]
• Link to Google Calendar for meetings and activities, click here [link]

Media and Press Releases

• Oregonian Editorial, Vernonia Needs an Oregon Solution, March 9, 2008 [pdf]
• Oregonian Editorial, Finding Answers for Our Town, April 28, 2008 [pdf]
• The Oregonian Funding for Vernonia's schools gets initial OK, June 25, 2008 [pdf]
• Oregon Solutions Press Release, Verizon Foundation donates $20,000 for Oregon Solutions - Vernonia Schools Project, June 30, 2008 [pdf]
• Oregon Public Broadcasting, Money for Vernonia schools part of Senate appropriations bill, July 17, 2008 [pdf]
• Link to Vernonia's Voice, click here [link]

Vernonia Schools video from Oregonlive..

Rebuilding Vernonia from Oregonian News on Vimeo.

Additional Information

• Vernonia School District website

Project Contacts

• Project Co-conveners: Commissioner Tony Hyde and Tom Kelly, President of Neil Kelly Remodelers
• Project Manager: Wendy Willis