Vernonia, along with other communities, suffered losses during the December 2007 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 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.
Catalyst - the Campaign for Vernonia's Schools
US Department of Education Vernonia Schools video..
November 4th, 2009, in celebration of the $13 million bond measure passing with 61% of the vote with a 68% voter turnout, the community placed balloons all the way from the current school site..
..through the neighborhood..
..to the new school site, where Mayor Sally Harrison, Columbia County Commissioner Tony Hyde and students planted the three flags representing the Grade, Middle and High School.
Renee Willer (in red), presenting a check for $5,000 to (from L to R) Vernonia School Board Chair Jim Krahn, Sen. Betsy Johnson and VSD Superintendent Dr. Ken Cox, for the Oregon Solutions Vernonia Schools Project on Dec 15, 2009. This brings Verizon's support for Vernonia to $35,000 over the past two years.
info@orsolutions.org | Phone (503) 725-9097 | Fax (503) 725-9099 Last Updated: 3 May 2010
