REDMOND, OR -- Support for a plan to consolidate high schools in Redmond is wavering. Superintendent Dr. Charan Cline says a professional survey company found 69% in favor of the idea, "And it surveyed lots of folks. It’s sort of a representative sample. We have a large contingent of our community that doesn’t feel like that survey represented their point of view." He says many of those opposed to consolidation shared their thoughts at listening sessions. The first was last week at Redmond High. "I would say that people were decidedly not interested in a consolidation," Cline told KBND News Tuesday, prior to the second meeting held at Ridgeview High, "Groups of our high school teachers are not in favor of this idea, nor are very large groups of our parents."

Dr. Cline says the reasons for opposition are varied, "We’ve heard concerns about how it might impact traffic. We’ve heard concerns - people are not convinced that we’re not going to grow, in terms of demographics, despite our studies. And they’re worried that we’d need a second high school again in a few years." He adds, "They’re worried about how the two schools would come together, in terms of culture. And, playing time with athletics is a big deal to folks."

The consolidation proposal is one of a long list of projects under consideration for funding by a school bond expected to appear in the November election. "We’ll take that information back to our community bond committee that’s been really listening to the ideas and wrestling through the various problems," says Cline, "And hopefully we’ll get a bond proposal put together for June, to get it on the ballot." The school board is expected to vote on that bond list in July.

He still believes combining schools alleviates issues that may arise with major renovations planned at Redmond High, and would allow the district to get rid of two other buildings if administrative offices and other programs shift to RHS, "If we can do the consolidation, that would be one way to solve some of our problems, going forward, in terms of finances and facilities. But, you know, we can go with two smaller schools, as well, and find other ways to solve the problems."