Additional settings for Safari Browser.
Proposed Bond Measure Facts & Information
Background
After more than two years of planning and community engagement, the School Board referred to the voters a bond measure which would authorize a property tax increase. The tax revenue would be used to fund school repairs and upgrades. The measure will be on the November ballot. Parents, staff, community members and engineers assessed every building and identified specific projects for long term facilities sustainability, learning and safety. Proposed projects include addressing aging mechanical systems; roofing and external shells; lack of core spaces like gyms and cafeterias; temporary portable classrooms; security and accessibility challenges; and recreational priorities, including playground and sports field upgrades.
The bond would be overseen by a Citizen Oversight Committee that would regularly review bond activity and report back to the community.
If passed, what would the proposed bond measure fund?
If the measure passes, the proposed bond would fund specific projects at every elementary and middle school, focused on making repairs to facilities, addressing educational adequacy and increasing safety. The proposed bond would also fund repairs and renovation at the Sandy High School Stadium.
The School Board proposed projects include:
- Repair/replace roofing, gutters and exterior siding at elementary and middle schools.
- Repair/replace aging heating and water supply systems; install air conditioning systems to prevent overheated classrooms at elementary and middle schools.
- Replace portables with permanent classroom spaces at Kelso, Naas and Boring Middle.
- Add or remodel cafeterias or gyms to Firwood, Naas and Welches.
- Upgrade playgrounds, athletic fields and recreational opportunities for school and community use throughout the district, along with updates to Sandy High School stadium.
- Address safety, security and access throughout the district, including traffic flow improvements for vehicles and buses and improve access for students, staff and community members with disabilities.
If passed by voters, what would the proposed bond measure cost?
If the measure passes, property taxes would increase by $1.12 per $1,000 of assessed property value (not real market value) annually. The owner of a home with an assessed property value of $288,000, would pay about $323 per year or $26.92 per month. The tax increase would continue for 31 years and generate an estimated $172.2 million. If the proposed bond measure passes, the Oregon Trail School District would receive $6,126,000 in matching funds from the State of Oregon. If the proposed bond measure does not pass, the specific set of projects listed above would not be completed, and property taxes would not be increased.
Accountability and Local Economic Impact
Oregon Trail School District is committed to accountability and has a proven track record of completing projects on time and on budget, saving taxpayer dollars through smart fiscal management. The District works with local contractors and businesses on facility projects, supporting local jobs and boosting our local economy.
Major repairs, renovations and new construction can only be funded through voter-approved bond levies. These funds are designated for specific projects and overseen by a community-led Oversight Committee.
Our Schools Need Critical Updates
In 2008, our community rallied to build Sandy High School. Today, many of our other school buildings are aging and need essential additions and repairs. Acting today helps prevent costly emergency fixes tomorrow. The District worked with engineers, staff, parents and community members over the past two years to assess every building and identify the most urgent needs for longterm facilities sustainability, learning and safety. Key needs include:
- Aging mechanical systems, roofing and external shells need replacement/upgrades to prevent failure and costly emergency repairs.
- Schools lack core spaces like gyms and cafeterias or utilize inefficient and less secure portable classrooms.
- Buildings need security and accessibility upgrades.
- Enhanced recreational opportunities, including playground and sports field upgrades.
District Needs
The District worked with parents, staff and community members to assess buildings and identify specific projects for long term facilities sustainability, learning and safety.
Many schools rely on temporary portable classroom space or lack core education spaces like gyms, cafeterias or playground and athletic spaces. This bond will replace inefficient portables with permanent classroom spaces at schools such as Kelso, Naas and Boring Middle, add or improve cafeterias or gyms to schools including Firwood, Naas and Welches, improve playgrounds and improve athletic fields and recreation opportunities for school and community use throughout the district, including at Boring Middle, Naas, Kelso and Welches.
This bond will also improve safety, security and access throughout the district, make improvements to traffic flow for vehicles and buses, and improve access for students, staff and community with disabilities.
Click below to see construction dates of District buildings:
Siding at Welches
Boiler at Sandy Grade School
Boring Middle School roof leak
How Schools Capital Projects Are Funded
Money to support public education in Oregon comes from the State (mostly through income taxes), local revenues (primarily property taxes) and other funding, including federal funds. Each district receives state and lottery funds by a dollar allocation per student. Capital projects, including new schools and school renovations, are NOT funded by money that is part of the operating budget, and can only be funded through voter-approved bond levies.
