About Dallas School District 2 · Dallas
Dallas School District 2 (Dallas SD 2) is a public K-12 school district headquartered in Dallas, Oregon (Polk County), serving approximately 3,050-3,162 students across more than 400 staff members. The district operates three elementary schools, one middle school (LaCreole Middle School), one comprehensive high school (Dallas High School), an alternative education campus (Morrison), a post-high transition program, and two charter schools (Luckiamute Valley Charter School and Dallas Community Charter). Led by Superintendent Steve Spencer, the district's guiding question is 'Is it good for kids?' and its mission emphasizes that 'Each student is known by name, strength, and need.'
Dallas School District 2 (formally Polk County School District No. 2) is a public K-12 school district serving the city of Dallas, Oregon, and surrounding rural areas in the mid-Willamette Valley. The district office is located at 111 SW Ash Street, Dallas, OR 97338, and it serves approximately 3,050 students across kindergarten through grade 12. Its portfolio of schools includes Oakdale Heights Elementary (K-3), Lyle Elementary (K-3), Whitworth Elementary (4-5), LaCreole Middle School (6-8), Dallas High School (9-12), Morrison Campus Alternative Program (10-12), plus two charter schools: Luckiamute Valley Charter School (K-8) and Dallas Community Charter (K-12). The district is governed by a five-member elected School Board that meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the district office board room, with publicly posted agendas and Zoom access. Current leadership includes Superintendent Steve Spencer (selected unanimously by the board in February 2022 after serving 23 years in the district in roles ranging from science teacher to Dallas High School principal) and Assistant Superintendent Sara Leroy. The district's vision frames it as 'centered on students, powered by collaboration, built on equity, and driven by excellence,' and its budget message highlights improvements such as a graduation rate rising from 73.2% in 2022-23 to 85.8% in 2023-24, along with capital investments including the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center at Dallas High School completed in 2021. The district actively partners with Polk County and the City of Dallas and welcomes community volunteers into its schools. It is a public, secular institution and is not affiliated with any religious denomination, though the city of Dallas is also home to St. Philip Catholic Church (founded 1910).
- Serves
- Dallas, Oregon and surrounding Polk County communities in the mid-Willamette Valley
About the District
Dallas School District 2 is committed to high levels of learning for each and every student. Located in Dallas, Oregon in the mid-Willamette Valley, it serves over 3,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12. The district works in partnership with Polk County and the City of Dallas to address the social, academic, health, and safety needs of its students, and it strongly values the contributions of community volunteers.
- Vision: 'Centered on students, powered by collaboration, built on equity, and driven by excellence.'
- Mission: 'Each student is known by name, strength, and need — pursuing a life of engagement, innovation, and success.'
- Guiding question: 'Is it good for kids?'
- Over 3,050 students served
- Over 400 staff members
Schools
The district operates eight schools across Polk County, including traditional public schools plus two charters. Enrollment per school in the 2023-24 school year ranged from about 230 to 860 students, with Dallas High School being the largest at 856 students.
- Oakdale Heights Elementary School (Grades K-3) — 503-623-8316
- Lyle Elementary School (Grades K-3) — 503-623-8367
- Whitworth Elementary School (Grades 4-5) — 503-623-8351
- LaCreole Middle School (Grades 6-8) — 503-623-6662
- Dallas High School (Grades 9-12) — 503-623-8336
- Morrison Campus Alternative Program (Grades 10-12)
- Luckiamute Valley Charter School (Grades K-8)
- Dallas Community Charter (Grades K-12)
Superintendent and District Leadership
Steve Spencer became superintendent on July 1, 2022, after the Dallas School Board unanimously selected him in February 2022. He first joined Dallas School District in 1999 as a science teacher at Dallas High School, advanced to Dean of Students in 2003, became assistant vice principal then principal of LaCreole Middle School, and later returned to Dallas High School as its principal — bringing over two decades of service to the district by the time of his appointment. Sara Leroy serves as Assistant Superintendent.
- Superintendent: Steve Spencer — [email protected]
- Assistant Superintendent: Sara Leroy — [email protected]
- Main line: 503-623-5594
Board of Directors
The Dallas School Board consists of five volunteer members elected at-large from the community to serve staggered four-year terms. The board generally meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at the district office, with agendas posted on the website at least 24 hours in advance. Regular business meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. and include a public-comment period.
- Position 1: Tyler Ferrari (term expires 6/30/2029)
- Position 2: Zach Steele (term expires 6/30/2027)
- Position 3: Deena Loughary (term expires 6/30/2029)
- Position 4: Rob Ogilvie (term expires 6/30/2029)
- Position 5: Matt Woolsey (term expires 6/30/2027)
- Board Secretary: Juli Lichtenberger — [email protected]
- Board meetings: 2nd and 4th Monday, 6:30 p.m.
- Location: 111 SW Ash Street, Board Room
Budget and Facilities
The district publishes an annual operating budget (the 2025-26 budget documents describe revenues, expenditures by operational unit, capital projects, bond-funded facilities work, and legal compliance). Voters approved $17 million in general obligation bonds in November 2014 for major repairs and elementary multi-purpose-area remodels; a second bond issuance occurred in December 2017. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center at Dallas High School was substantially completed in summer 2021. A seismic rehabilitation grant for the Dallas High School Gym was finalized in 2023-24.
- General Obligation Bonds Series 2015: $9.7M
- Second GO bond issuance: $7M (December 2017)
- CTE Center at Dallas High School (substantially completed summer 2021)
- 2023-24 Dallas High School Gym seismic rehabilitation grant
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
The district's CTE Center at Dallas High School was the marquee capital project of its recent bond-funded improvements, designed to expand career pathways and technical education offerings for high school students. CTE programs are a focal point of Dallas High School's curriculum and are funded through bond proceeds, grants, and the general operating budget.
- CTE Center at Dallas High School (completed ~2021)
- HVAC, roofing, locker room, restroom, and security improvements across schools
- Technology upgrades district-wide
Community Partners and Volunteering
The district states that part of educating youth means working in partnership with the community. It cooperates with Polk County and the City of Dallas to meet academic, social, and health-and-safety needs. Community members are welcomed as volunteers in schools, and the board maintains advisory committees that include community members, district staff, and board representatives.
- Polk County partnership
- City of Dallas partnership
- Volunteer program in schools
- Advisory committees open to the public
Enrollment, Staff, and Demographics
According to National Center for Education Statistics data cited on Ballotpedia, Dallas School District had 2,995 students in 2023-24 with 175.99 full-time classroom teachers, producing a student-teacher ratio of roughly 17:1. District administrators are reported as 3.93 FTE and school administrators as 12.00 FTE. Long-term enrollment has hovered near 3,000-3,300 students for two decades. The student body is predominantly White, with growing Hispanic representation (about 12.8% in 2023-24).
- 2023-24 enrollment: 2,995 students
- 175.99 FTE classroom teachers
- Student-teacher ratio: ~17:1
- Hispanic students: ~12.8% (2023-24)
Contact and Compliance
The district's nondiscrimination policy states that Dallas School District, Polk County School District No. 2, does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, national origin, race, religion, mental status, or gender in its educational programs, activities, or employment. Inquiries regarding compliance are directed to the Superintendent at the district office.
- District Office: 111 SW Ash Street, Dallas, OR 97338
- Phone: 503-623-5594
- Fax: 503-623-5597
- Compliance email: [email protected]
- Superintendent email: [email protected]
- Assistant Superintendent email: [email protected]