Hood River County School District (HRCSD) has officially launched a Long-Range Facilities Planning Project to guide future improvements to school buildings and properties across the district. This work began with a School Board Work Session held on Tuesday, May 14, where board members, district leaders, and community members gathered to kick off the process.

A newly formed Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee (LRFPC) will lead the Long-Range Facilities Planning Project. This committee will include 15–20 members, made up of community representatives and district staff, and will meet over the coming months to conduct a comprehensive review of district facility needs.

The committee’s responsibilities include:

• Reviewing needs identified in the district’s Buildings Condition Assessment

• Exploring options for financing capital construction projects

• Developing a long-term timeline for capital improvements

• Analyzing demographic trends, including enrollment projections and local economic growth

• Gathering input from the broader community

• Assessing opportunities and limitations of district-owned properties

• Recommending a prioritized list of facility upgrades and funding strategies for the next ten years

“Our schools are a vital part of every community in Hood River County,” said Superintendent Bill Newton. “This process is about ensuring that our facilities continue to support safe, functional, and inspiring learning environments for all students now and in the future.”

The School Board’s May 14 Work Session served as the public launch of this effort. The full recording of the session is available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/live/8BGI7uZwj6c

Community engagement will be a central part of the planning process, with more opportunities for public input to be shared in the coming weeks.