Salem-Keizer Public Schools
District Bonds
Public school districts can hold bond elections for voters to decide whether to approve raising funds for repairing, building, or replacing school facilities. Thank you, Salem-Keizer voters, for supporting our students!
About the 2018 Bond
In May 2018, voters in the Salem-Keizer School District approved a $619.7 million general obligation bond for school renovations and expansions and to address crowing and safety. Due to market premiums, earnings, grants and reimbursements, the total approved bond program has grown to about $755 million since it passed.
These funds are being used on expanded scopes and additional projects identified in the 2019 boundary adjustment process, as well as needs not included in the original $619.7 million bond program that were identified during the facility planning process or during architectural design work. Thanks to this additional funding, the district can do more than promised without affecting taxpayer’s levy rate. The bond guarantees some level of improvement at all schools in the district and addresses many needs that were identified in the district’s Long Range Facilities planning process.
Bond Oversight Committee
About the Bond Oversight Committee
The Community Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) was formed to monitor progress of the bond program and provide regular reports to the school board. The public is welcome to attend and observe CBOC meetings. CBOC consists of 10 volunteers who meet quarterly or more frequently as requested by the school board or superintendent.
Major Responsibilities of the Committee
- Monitor progress of the 2018 Bond Program, including construction projects and budget.
- Report at least annually to the school board on the progress of the 2018 Bond Program.
- Provide recommendations for the use of bond funds in accordance with state law and the language in the voter-approved ballot title.
Members of the Committee
- Nancy MacMorris-Adix – CBOC Co-chair
- Mark Shipman – CBOC Co-chair
- Aniceto Jay Taisacan Mundo – Community representative
- Chelsea Anderson – Fiscal Analyst, Oregon Health Authority
- Chuck Woodard – Director for Estimating and Preconstruction
- Debbie Gregg - Budget Manger, Marion County
- Michelle Vlach-Ing, Lawyer
- Tom Hoffert – Director, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce
- Karina Guzmán Ortiz – Liaison to the School Board
CBOC Meeting Agendas & Minutes
2018 Bond History
The 2018 Bond Development Process
May 15, 2018
Voters Approve 2018 Bond Measure
The Salem-Keizer community voted to approve a $619.7 million bond to fund school expansions to relieve overcrowding and prepare for future enrollment growth, add career-technical education spaces and science labs, improve safety and security, address future maintenance needs, expand access to technology and improve ADA access. In the 2018 bond program, improvements are planned at every school in Salem-Keizer with major capital improvements planned at more than half the school facilities in the district.
February 2018
School Board Approves Resolution and Ballot Title
At its February 13, 2018 meeting, the School Board approved the resolution calling for a measure election and the ballot title. The ballot title was then filed with Marion County Elections to formally place the measure on the ballot for the community to consider.
January 2018
School Board Approves Final Bond Package
At its January 9, 2018 meeting, the School Board unanimously approved the final bond package, and heard the first reading of the Resolution to call a measure election and the Ballot Title to be included in the voter’s pamphlet.
December 18, 2017
School Board Considers Input–Second Revised Bond Package
After three special meetings to review feedback from the community and staff on the base bond package, and receiving additional information regarding special education program needs at high schools, seismic review panel information, land acquisition needs and other program considerations, the School Board asked staff to again revise the bond package, considering the following guidance:
- The total amount of the bond is not to exceed $620 million
- Focus on alleviating overcrowding, including classrooms and infrastructure
- Prioritize health and safety projects that will benefit the most students
- Consider incorporating as much as possible from the content areas that were presented to the Board after the base bond proposal was developed
- Use the polling data and analysis to insure the recommendation is in alignment with community support and represents a cost-effective approach
December 12, 2017
School Board Considers Input–First Revised Bond Package
At its December 12, 2017 meeting, the Board heard the first reading of a revised package totaling $619.7 million and includes the following changes, and others:
- Expands the current Auburn Elementary School rather than builds a new school
- Reduces the number of special education classroom additions at the six traditional high schools by one
- Places new classrooms near their content counterparts in schools (i.e., new science classrooms next to existing science classrooms)
- Plans for an increase in cost escalation
- Adjusts the construction schedules to perform more work early in the life of the bond
- Expands West Salem High School to accommodate 2,100 students instead of 2,000
- Constructs a new main gymnasium at North Salem High School
The $619.7 million general obligation bond was estimated to increase the current property tax levy rate by $1.24 per thousand of assessed property value, or about $248 per year on a home valued at $200,000.
Fall 2017
Bond Measure Listening and Learning Forums
In the fall of 2017, parents, staff and members of the community were invited to attend one or more of six Listening & Learning Forums about the bond. Meetings were held at each traditional high school. Attendees heard a presentation about the bond and then met with school principals and Facilities & Planning Department staff to view concept maps, talk about projects planned for each school and ask questions. Feedback was collected at the Forums and was compiled into a report for the School Board.
May 2017
Revised Bond Package
The School Board responded to the community’s feedback by asking district staff to reduce the size of the bond package. Staff revised and recalculated the list and presented a smaller package to the School Board at the end of May 2017. The revised package was about 19% less than the original package and totaled around $620 million. This revised package was the basis for the School Board’s continued work to finalize the bond measure. The School Board voted to place a bond measure on the May 2018 ballot and continued to work on finalizing the bond package.
Spring 2017
Bond Feasibility Study and Community Poll
The School Board accepted the Community Facilities Task Force report and instructed district staff to perform a bond feasibility study. The study was conducted in a phone survey of Salem and Keizer residents. The intent of the survey was to determine the community’s priorities for district facilities and willingness to support the work through property taxes. The results of the poll showed that the community is supportive of addressing the facility needs of the school district, but has concerns about the cost. In the survey, the community indicated support for a tax increase between $1.51 to $2.50 per thousand of assessed property value to pay for the work.
Spring 2017
Bond Feasibility Study and Community Poll
The School Board accepted the Community Facilities Task Force report and instructed district staff to perform a bond feasibility study. The study was conducted in a phone survey of Salem and Keizer residents. The intent of the survey was to determine the community’s priorities for district facilities and willingness to support the work through property taxes. The results of the poll showed that the community is supportive of addressing the facility needs of the school district, but has concerns about the cost. In the survey, the community indicated support for a tax increase between $1.51 to $2.50 per thousand of assessed property value to pay for the work.
2016-17
Community Facilities Task Force Meets
The School Board instructed Superintendent Perry to form a Community Facilities Task Force to review the Long Range Facilities Plan. The 18-member Task Force met nine times between November 2016 and February 2017 to review the entire Plan. The Task Force’s work resulted in a report to the School Board that recommended the Board pursue a general obligation bond to fund the work.
Download the Long Range Facilities Plan – July 2017 (PDF in English)
2015
Long Range Facilities Plan
In 2015, the district began the process of updating the Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP). The LRFP outlines the facility improvements needed to support projected enrollment growth and to provide the right kinds of spaces to support educational programs. For example, science and Career-Technical and Vocational Education programs require special types of spaces and equipment. The total estimated cost of all work listed in the plan is $766 million.
Past Bonds
Salem-Keizer Public School's Past Bonds
2008 Bond—$242.1 Million
$122.4 million for 4 new schools Battle Creek Elementary School, Chavez Elementary School, Kalapuya Elementary School, and Straub Middle School.
$119.7 million for:
- Repairs and renovations across the district (schools only)
- 22 new portable classrooms
- What was not included in the 2008 bond:
- Career and Technical High School
- 7 Elementary Schools
1998 Bond—$177.8 Million
$111.3 million for 10 new schools including Forest Ridge Elementary, Hallman Elementary, Hammond Elementary, Harritt Elementary, Lamb Elementary, Lee Elementary, Miller Elementary, Weddle Elementary, Claggett Creek Middle School, and West Salem High School.
$66.5 million for:
- Construction of half gyms at 7 middle schools
- 8 classroom additions at Grant Elementary
- Build Roberts High School
- 26 new portable classrooms
- Remodels/improvements across the district (schools only)
1992 Bond—$96 Million
$58.6 million for 6 new schools including Clear Lake Elementary*, Yoshikai Elementary, Crossler Middle School, Houck Middle School, Leslie Middle School*, and Stephens Middle School.
$37.4 million for:
- 43 classroom additions at 10 elementary schools
- 12 classroom additions at Walker Middle School
- 8 new portable classrooms at 4 elementary schools
- 6 new portable classrooms at McKay High School
- Major remodel at Parrish Middle School
- Repair/renovation/improvements across the district (schools only)
*Replacement schools