Measure 9-140 - Redmond School District #2J

Ballot Title 9-140
BONDS TO INCREASE SAFETY, SECURITY, HEALTH; REPAIR SCHOOLS; ADD CLASSROOMS

QUESTION: Shall District increase safety, repair schools, add classrooms; issue bonds with citizen oversight; estimated to not increase current tax rate? If the Bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.

SUMMARY: If approved, measure authorizes $27.5 million in general obligation bonds for school capital projects to:

  • Improve Health, Safety & Security:
    • Secure entrances and security camera systems;
    • Air quality improvements;
    • Asbestos abatement;
    • Fire safety systems.
       
  • Improve Educational Spaces, Create Capacity:
    • Construct additional classrooms at Vern Patrick Elementary and Tom McCall Elementary;
    • Upgrade technology infrastructure and learning spaces.
       
  • District-wide updates to maintain, preserve and extend the life of existing buildings and reduce maintenance and operating costs:
    • Replace roofs, plumbing, flooring;
    • Update electrical, heating, ventilation and cooling systems;
    • Install energy efficient lighting and windows.
       
  • Capital improvements including site improvements, demolition, furnishings, equipment; pay bond issuance costs.

District will receive $7.6 million State matching grant only if bonds are approved. Establishes community oversight committee for use of bond proceeds for intended purposes. Bonds may be issued in series over time, each series would mature over a period not to exceed 21 years from issuance. Bonds are estimated to not increase the current property tax rate.

Explanatory Statement

Redmond School District (RSD) draws its 7,500 students from a 550 square mile area that includes Redmond and the communities of Alfalfa, Crooked River Ranch, Eagle Crest, Terrebonne and Tumalo. The district operates 13 school buildings serving students in kindergarten through high school.

Why a School Bond Now

Projected to Maintain 2020 Tax Rate: If approved, the proposed $27.5 million bond is estimated to not increase property tax rates over the 2020 rate. This is due to RSD’s refinancing of existing bonds at a lower interest rate, which has reduced annual debt payments and created the opportunity for this new bond.

Leverage State Matching Funds: RSD will receive $7.6 million in a State grant if bonds are approved by voters. This brings the total funds available for school projects to $35.1 million. If bonds are not approved, RSD will not receive the grant from the State.

RSD Schools Face Challenges

Health, Safety and Security: Our secondary schools have multiple points of entry and every school in the district has locks, front en-tries, fire panels, alarms and/or security systems in need of repair or replacement.

Future Capacity: City of Redmond data shows that over the next 20 years, Redmond will grow by 2.5 new residents per day. The future growth in new neighborhoods is expected to outgrow the existing capacity of certain schools.

Aging Schools: The average age of a school in RSD is 45 years old. This means electrical, heating, ventilation and cooling systems are inefficient and out-of-date. Roofs, flooring, windows, sidewalks, plumbing and exterior siding are in need of repair throughout the district.

2020 Bond Request

RSD, in partnership with the community, has developed a recommendation for a school capital construction bond request that, if passed, will:

Improve Health, Safety and Security:
Create secure entryways and update communications systems, locks, fire panels, alarms and security systems. Upgrade air quality systems and mitigate asbestos.

Create Future Capacity:
Add classroom wings at both Tom McCall Elementary and Vern Patrick Elementary (12 classrooms) and create new cafeteria spaces at each school.

Modernize & Extend Life of Buildings:
Update technology, collaborative learning spaces, and infrastructure to give our students the tools they need to graduate and be college and/or career ready.

Improve Energy Efficiency, Reduce Operating Costs: Districtwide energy efficiency projects, including replacing old, inefficient high-maintenance heating and ventilation systems and installing LED lighting and new windows, could save thousands of dollars in annual maintenance and operating costs.

Citizen Oversight and Accountability

An independent, citizen-led Bond Oversight Committee will oversee the use of bond funds, specifically:

  • Ensure bond revenues are used only for the purposes consistent with the voter-approved bond program and state law.
  • Reduce long-term maintenance, construction costs and improve efficiency and longevity, and innovative practices.
  • Review quarterly bond expenditure reports produced by the district to assess compliance with the bond program approved by voters.

(This information furnished by Charan Cline, Ed. D, Superintendent, Redmond School District #2J.)

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