This month, Central Oregon voters will decide on a $268 million bond for the Bend-La Pine School District. It’s a record-breaking request from the district.
The school district says the money is necessary to fund 159 projects, including maintenance and preservation work on existing schools. It would also pay for two new schools.
Superintendent Shay Mikalson says these improvements are necessary to keep up with the district’s ballooning student enrollment.
"From my seat as superintendent they’re not wishes, they’re needs," Mikalson said. "We’re in a spot where all of our elementary schools are at or over capacity, and all of our Bend-area high schools are at or over capacity."
The district grew by 5,000 students between 2000 and 2016, with another 3,000 students expected in the next ten years.
The measure would not pay for replacing the Kenwood Elementary School gym that was demolished after its roof collapsed under the weight of snow this winter. The new gym will be funded by insurance, Mikalson says.
The bond has no organized opposition, but some voters feel that the ask is steep.
Bend resident Kimberly Miller is voting against the bond. She said she already pays $219 in taxes for existing bond measures.
"I’m retired and my income is not substantial," Miller said. "I just feel like I cannot afford to spend anything additional on another bond levy for the schools."
March 1998: $57.5 million
November 2001: $47.8 million
November 2006: $119 million
May 2013: $96 million
Many groups like the Bend Chamber of Commerce support the school bond. Chamber CEO Katie Brooks says strong schools are one of the best reasons to live in Bend.
"Businesses recruit new talent based on a number of advantages of living in central Oregon and good schools is at the top of that list," Brooks said.
The bond would cost average property owners with a home worth $200,000 about $84 a year.
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