The Hillsboro Police Department and Hillsboro School District are warning drivers to obey 20-mph school zones as nearly 18,000 students head back to class starting Tuesday, Sept. 1.
The district published bilingual safety guidance on Aug. 28, with tips for parents, walkers, cyclists, bus riders and motorists. The joint campaign targets congestion and injury prevention around school campuses during the first week back.
Students in grades 1–6, 7 and 9 report Tuesday. All remaining students, including kindergartners and those in grades 8 and 10–12, start Wednesday, Sept. 2.
What drivers need to know
The district is asking motorists to slow down near schools and avoid dropping children off in bus loading zones. Students who walk are directed to use designated bike paths.
The guidance comes in both English and at least one other language, reflecting a district that serves more than 3,700 bilingual students across 16 Dual Language Program schools.
Drivers should also stop for school buses with flashing red lights and watch closely at bus stops and crosswalks, the district said.
A busy bus system
District buses carry more than 13,000 students each year across roughly 130 routes, logging more than 1.7 million miles annually, according to a district proclamation from March recognizing the 2025–26 school year. That fleet will be back on the road Tuesday.
School zone safety under scrutiny
The campaign arrives as Hillsboro grapples with traffic safety near schools. City data shows 13 crashes at the intersection of East Main Street and Century Boulevard over the past three years, including a June 23 collision that killed 19-year-old Connor Navarro.
High school student Raegan Workman addressed Hillsboro City Council on approximately Aug. 19 about dangers on her school route along Glencoe Road.
Workman acknowledged that reckless driving is not the city's fault but told councilors that "lowering the speed limits near school zones and adding more yield signals for the students and pedestrians is entirely your responsibility," as KOIN reported.
Families can find the full back-to-school safety guide on the district's website.
