OPINION: Lake Oswego School District shouldn't shutter a walkable gem

A quick visit to the Lake Oswego School District home page will show their Mission, Vision and Values. A colorful wheel diagram will beautifully show that one of the district’s four priorities (cleverly shaded in green) is to “Teach and Practice Sustainability.” It goes on to say “Preserve and sustain our shared resources while accelerating our students’ ability to combat climate change. Evidence of Success: Create stewards of our shared resources.”

That same school district with a top priority of teaching and practicing sustainability is now considering closing down Lake Grove Elementary School, our city’s most walkable elementary school, and then busing all its students to Uplands. Lake Grove is cited by the EPA as a “smart site” because of access, walkability, low transportation impact and more. Uplands is categorized as the least “smart site” within Lake Oswego.

Many families wanting to practice sustainability purchased or rented a home within walking distance of Lake Grove Elementary School. To shut down this walkable gem and put families back in cars goes against a top priority of the LOSD. Please ask our school district to keep Lake Grove where it is and allow our Lake Grove families to continue being “stewards of our shared resources,” which is what it cites as evidence of success.

Judi Colson

Lake Oswego