BALLOT TITLE
HILLSBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.1J GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND AUTHORIZATION
QUESTION: Shall the District be authorized to issue general obligation bonded indebtedness in an amount not to exceed $98,000,000? 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, bonds will finance:
• One high school and two elementary schools: construction, equipment, and furnishings.
• Land for future school sites.
• Safety, security, seismic, ADA renovations and upgrades.
• School support facilities.
A new high school built on District-owned land north of Highway 26 will relieve overcrowding in our current high schools. Enrollment exceeds current capacity and is projected to increase by 900 students in five years.
Two elementary schools will provide space for growing elementary enrollment. The District expects 1,150 more elementary students within five years.
Provide security-related improvements: lighting, locks, fencing, safety and security systems.
Provide handicap access and seismic and facility upgrades.
Purchase land for future school sites.
Consolidate maintenance, warehouse, and grounds-keeping facilities for growing District.
Associated building and bond issuance costs are included.
Bonds would mature over a period not to exceed 20 years. New taxpayers will assist in paying for the bond measure.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Hillsboro School District 1J faces challenges related to:
• Rapidly increasing enrollment.
• Overcrowded facilities serving high school students.
• Elementary school enrollment at or above capacity in attendance areas.
• Acquisition of future building sites.
• Safety, security, seismic, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) renovations and upgrades.
• Facilities for support services for the growing district.
The proceeds from this bond issue will enable the Hillsboro School District to address these problems.
Passage of this measure will permit the Hillsboro School District to:
• Ease overcrowding and balance enrollment growth for our 5,000 high school students by building a fourth high school on district-owned property north of the Sunset Highway.
• Alleviate continued crowding in several elementary schools and accommodate enrollment growth by building two new elementary schools.
• Purchase land for future school construction sites.
• Provide security-related improvements at existing facilities: lighting, locks, fencing, safety and security systems as indicated by a thorough safety audit.
• Provide improved access for handicapped students and patrons.
• Provide seismic upgrades and renovations.
• Consolidate maintenance, warehouse, and grounds-keeping facilities to maintain the physical plants, equipment, and property for the 31-school District.
EASE OVERCROWDING AT HIGH SCHOOLS
A new high school will address overcrowding for our ninth through twelfth grade students. The number of high school students exceeds the total capacity of the existing three schools. Enrollment projections indicate an additional 900 students will enroll at the high schools within the next five years.
The high school will be built on district-owned land north of the Sunset Highway near Cornelius Pass Road. It will alleviate crowding at existing schools and permit balanced enrollment growth in the future.
ALLEVIATE CROWDING AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Two elementary schools will address overcrowding for several elementary schools now and alleviate growing enrollment concerns. Several District elementary schools are currently at or over capacity.
Enrollment growth projections indicate the District's elementary enrollment will increase by 1,150 students in the next five years.
The new elementary schools will use a design similar to recent construction to reduce costs and construction time.
ADDITIONAL PROJECTS
The bond will fund:
• Safety and security improvements specified in a safety audit.
• Seismic and ADA upgrades to existing facilities.
• Land purchase for future construction sites.
• Maintenance, warehouse, and grounds-keeping facility consolidation for the growing District.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
The principal amount of the bond will not exceed $98 million. The terms of the bond will not exceed 20 years with repayment structured so that new taxpayers will help to pay for the bond measure.
It is estimated that property owners will pay $1.43 per $1,000 assessed value in the first year. For a home assessed at $130,000, that cost is estimated at $15.50 per month. Costs will decrease over time as property values increase and new taxpayers share the cost of the bond.
Submitted by:
Mark Bjerke, Deputy Clerk
No arguments FOR or AGAINST this measure were filed.