MEASURE NO. 24-41 Woodburn School District 103 Ballot Title: Referred to the People by the District Board General Obligation Bond Authorization Question: Shall the District be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding $19,667,997? 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, this measure provides funds to the District to finance the costs of capital construction and capital improvements, including, but not limit to, providing funds to: Expand and renovate facilities at Nellie Muir Build and furnish an expansion of Valor Middle School to accommodate increased student capacity of approximately 300 students Build and furnish an approximately 800 student new elementary school Make related site improvements; and Pay bond issuance costs. The Bond will mature in 21 years or less. Explanatory Statement: The Woodburn School District #103 is seeking voter approval of a $19,667,997 bond issue to relieve overcrowding in the elementary and middle schools. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? Since the 96-97 school year, elementary student enrollment has grown approximately 26% or about 460 students. Continued growth is projected at approximately 5% a year or over 110 students per year through 2003. Over 700 elementary students or almost one-third of all elementary students are taught in modular classrooms. Nellie Muir Elementary School was built to house 300 students and currently has over 420 enrolled. Over 120 students are taught in six modular classrooms. By 2003, middle school enrollment is projected to increase by 20% or 170 students. Phase 1 of Valor Middle School was built to house 350 students and approximately 425 students are currently enrolled. WHO PROPOSED THE BOND MEASURE? Over forty community members, including business people, ministers, senior citizens, and parents spent 18 months analyzing demographic information and the condition and adequacy of all school facilities. A Citizen Advisory Committee comprised of 12 community members reviewed the findings of this committee and proposed a $24.9 million bond. The Board of Directors approved this bond proposal in February, 2000, but in August, 2000, reduced the bond amount by 20% to $19,667,997. This was accomplished by utilizing district-owned property for the new elementary school and by setting aside, over a three-year period, operating revenues necessary to complete safety upgrades to Washington and Lincoln Elementary Schools and French Prairie Middle School. WHAT WILL THIS BOND MEASURE FUND? 1. The construction of an approximately 800-student elementary school on a district-owned 17-acre site behind the Heritage Elementary School/Valor Middle School complex on Parr Road. It is anticipated that the larger school would be divided into two approximately 400-student classroom clusters situated around common core facilities (office, library, gym, cafeteria); 2. The construction of an addition to Valor Middle School that would increase its instructional capacity by approximately 300 students. Valor was originally designed to accommodate this planned addition. 3. The enlargement and remodeling of the core facilities at Nellie Muir Elementary School, including the office, library, cafeteria, gym, and restroom facilities. WHAT WILL THE BOND COST THE TAXPAYER? It is estimated that the bond measure would increase a person’s property taxes by approximately $1.46 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. Submitted by: Jack D. Reeves, Superintendent Woodburn School District 103 No arguments opposed to this measure were filed. Back to the November 7, 2000 Voter Pamphlet Main Page