Survey Introduction
The Athena-Weston School Board is placing a School Bond Measure on the May 17, 2016 ballot. The purpose of the bond is to make capital improvements at all three schools in the district and to purchase school buses.
The current school district bond for $2 million was passed by voters in November 2005 and will expire in June 2016. The current rate is $1.01 per $1,000 on assessed property value.
A facilities assessment was completed by the administration, staff and the school board. The facilities committee took a detailed look at each school, evaluated conditions, reviewed maintenance projects and costs and discussed priorities. Three community forums were held to seek community input about facilities, the possibility of placing a bond measure on the May 17, 2016 ballot and applying for a matching grant from the State of Oregon up to $4 Million.
After receiving positive feedback from community members and staff, the school board applied for the $4 million matching grant and is placing a bond measure on the May 2016 ballot. The district has been selected to receive a state matching grant up to $4 million.
The school board is asking for $4 million in the upcoming bond measure. If voters approve the bond, the district will receive a $4 million matching grant from the Oregon Department of Education for a total amount of $8 million to be used for the district. The approximate rate for the new bond is $1.45 per $1,000 of assessed value. If voters reject the bond measure, the $4 million in state funds will be diverted to another school district.
The School Board is finalizing the priority of the projects to be included in the bond and is asking for input from community members and staff through this survey.