At its Feb. 13 meeting, the Salem-Keizer Public Schools Board of Education voted to approve the resolution and ballot title language for a $619.7 million general obligation bond measure on the May 2018 ballot. The Board’s action authorizes the district to file the ballot title with the county elections office to officially place the bond on the May 15 ballot.
If passed by voters in May, the bond would benefit all district schools. Details of projects planned for each school are available on the district website at 2018 Bond Measure webpage.
Highlights of the bond package include constructing additional space to relieve overcrowding and increase capacity of schools, expanding career-technical/vocational programs in high schools, and adding space for science education and music programs.
The proposed bond also enhances safety and security by updating electronic badge access systems, renovating or relocating 36 school offices to improve visibility of the main entry, updates intercoms at 60 schools and addresses areas rated very high for earthquake collapse at 24 school sites.
The $619.7 million bond is projected to increase the current property tax levy rate by $1.24 per thousand of assessed property value, or add approximately $248 annually to the property taxes on a home valued at $200,000.
Read the ballot title language and specifics of the bond package on the SKPS website.