Special Districts: School, Water, Fire, SWCD & PUD

Definitions of special districts and contact information for these districts throughout Multnomah County.

Community Colleges | Schools | Educational Service Districts | Water Districts | Fire Districts |
Soil & Water Conservation Districts | People's Utility Districts


Community College Districts

Community colleges, sometimes called junior colleges, are two-year schools that provide postsecondary education. In Oregon, each Community College has an elected Community College board that sets policy for the college. The board oversees the development of programs and services, the adoption of policies and budget, to meet the needs of the college district. Board members serve a four year term. If a vacancy occurs on the Board, an election may be held to fill the remaining 2-year unexpired term.

Oregon Community College Association

Mt. Hood Community College
503-491-6422
www.mhcc.edu

Portland Community College
971-722-6111
www.pcc.edu


School Districts

School districts are charged with the administration of public schools. Typically, a school district includes grade schools, middle or junior high schools, and high schools and are governed by a School District Board. School districts boards in Oregon comprise seven elected board members by district or by zone. Some board members must reside or are elected by zone and some are elected at-large by voters in the School District. Board members are elected to 4-year terms. If a vacancy occurs on the Board, an election may be held to fill the remaining 2-year unexpired term.

Oregon School Boards Association

Centennial School District
503-760-7990
http://csd28j.org/

Corbett School District
503-261-4200
www.corbett.k12.or.us/

David Douglas School District
503-252-2900
www.ddouglas.k12.or.us/

Gresham-Barlow School District
503-261-4550
www.gresham.k12.or.us/

Parkrose School District
503-408-2100
www.parkrose.k12.or.us/

Portland School District
503-916-2000
https://www.pps.net/

Reynolds School District
503-661-7200
www.reynolds.k12.or.us/

Riverdale School District
503-262-4840
www.riverdale.k12.or.us/


Educational Service Districts

Multnomah Education Service District is an educational cooperative that provides a wide variety of programs and services on a regional basis to school districts in Multnomah County and beyond. An Education Service District (ESD) is a regional education agency. ESDs work to provide the various school districts with a wide array of educational programs and services, many of which are too costly or limited in demand for a single location. An elected board governs Multnomah ESD. Five members are chosen by zone (area in which they live), and two are selected from the district at-large. They serve four-year terms. If a vacancy occurs on the Board, an election may be held to fill the remaining 2-year unexpired term.

Oregon Association of Education Service Districts

Multnomah Educational Service District
503-255-1841
https://www.multnomahesd.org/


Water Districts

A water district is a regional water service provider organized under Chapter 264 of the Oregon Revised Statutes. The water district provides drinking water to residents of the district. Each water district board is composed of five board commissioners elected by voters of the district to four year terms. If a vacancy occurs on the Board, an election may be held to fill the remaining 2-year unexpired term. The board is responsible for developing policies and procedures and a budget.

Special District Association of Oregon

Alto Park Water District
503-548-6330

Burlington Water District
503-554-8333

Corbett Water District
503-695-2284

Lusted Water District
503-663-3059

Pleasant Home Water District
503-201-4341

Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District
503-281-5675

Valley View Water District
503-781-1425


Fire Districts

Rural Fire Protection Districts are fire protection service districts organized under Chapter 478 of the Oregon Revised Statutes. Rural Fire Protection District provides fire suppression and emergency medical service to residents of the district. Each Rural Fire Protection district is composed of five board members elected by voters of the district to four year terms. If a vacancy occurs on the Board, an election may be held to fill the remaining 2-year unexpired term. The board is responsible for developing policies and procedures and a budget.

Special District Association of Oregon

Multnomah Rural Fire Protection District #10
MCFire10@gmail.com (for non-emergency administrative business only)

Riverdale Rural Fire Protection District #11JT
503-807-7794

Corbett Rural Fire Protection District #14
503-809-4372

Sauvie Island Rural Fire Protection District 30JT
503-621-1242


Soil & Water Conservation Districts

​​​​​The Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Program provides services to the 45 Soil and Water Conservation Districts throughout Oregon. These services include technical support and limited administrative oversight, with the intent of reducing both liability and risk to the SWCDs and the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

SWCD Director Elections

West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District
503-238-4775
wmswcd.org

East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District
503-222-SOIL
emswcd.org


People's Utility Districts

A People’s Utility District (PUD) provides essential utility services within a specified area, and are owned and operated by the people they serve. Each PUD is governed by a Board of Directors, elected by the voters within the PUD’s political boundary. The Board is responsible for setting rates and creating policies, with the goal of providing the most benefit to customers.

Special District Association of Oregon

Rockwood Water P.U.D.
503-665-4179
www.rwpud.org/

Interlachen Water P.U.D.
503-667-5115

Last reviewed August 20, 2024