October 29, 2026 4:30 a.m.
Wednesday night the Roseburg School Board voted unanimously to close Fir Grove Elementary School at the conclusion of the current school year.
This followed a recommendation by Superintendent Jared Cordon in an Aligning to Thrive document issued four weeks ago: https://www.roseburg.k12.or.us/aligning-to-thrive
Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, Fir Grove students will transition to Eastwood, Hucrest and Fullerton IV elementary schools based on updated attendance boundaries.
A district release said the decision follows an extensive review of districtwide enrollment trends, school capacity, facility conditions, educational needs and long-term financial sustainability. The district’s long-range facilities planning process has also included facilities assessments and recommendations from its Community Facilities Advisory Committee. Enrollment in the district has dropped by over 10 percent in the last decade.
In Wednesday’s meeting, board members asked a number of questions about the recommendation and what the transition might be like for current Fir Grove students. Director Keith Cubic said the report was “well done” but admitted the group faced a “deeply difficult decision”. Director Rod Cotton said the move was “probably the right decision” but said, “it breaks my heart” and apologized to students, families and teachers impacted by the decision. Board chair Andrea Miner said, “We heard from families and staff that the uncertainty surrounding this decision was difficult, and we didn’t want to prolong it unnecessarily”.
The release said over the coming months, district leaders will work with school staff to develop a transition plan addressing students’ educational, social and emotional needs. Planning will include transportation arrangements, and opportunities for students and families to become familiar with their new schools.
The Complex Needs Classroom and Profound Developmental Learning Center programs both located at Fir Grove will continue, but will be moved to another campus, yet to be determined.
During the meeting, Cordon pointed to facilities assessments conducted through the Oregon Department of Education that identified approximately $116 million in anticipated maintenance, repair and replacement needs across Roseburg schools over the next 10 years. Cordon said the consolidation is one part of a broader, phased approach to addressing aging facilities and aligning district resources with current and projected enrollment.
Ahead of the vote, Director Ann Krimetz said the decision was the hardest point in her five years on the board but said it was a ‘step we need to take.”