David Douglas School District - Measure 26-135

BALLOT TITLE

DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 40 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND AUTHORIZATION

QUESTION: Shall District make repairs to school buildings; upgrade facilities; increase safety; purchase textbooks and technology; issue $49.5 million in bonds? 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, this measure would provide funds for capital costs and bond issuance costs. Specifically, this measure would help finance:

  • Building maintenance/repair including replacing old plumbing, roofs, HVAC systems, flooring, windows, siding, facility renovations and energy efficiency improvements.
  • Safety and security upgrades including seismic retrofits and fire alarm and security systems.
  • Replace aging modular classrooms; playground and ADA improvements.
  • Classroom technology, textbooks, furnishing and equipment purchases.
  • Constructing, furnishing, and equipping an early childhood education center for kindergarten readiness.

Due to the pay off of an existing bond this year, the District projects that the dollar amount per thousand for the new bonds would not exceed the current $1.76 per $1000 of assessed value. This is an estimate only.

Bonds would mature in twenty (20) years or less from issuance and be issued in one or more series.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Since 2008-09, the David Douglas School District has reduced its operating budget by nearly $14 million, or 13 percent. In addition to the elimination of more than 100 positions, the District has deferred most major facility repair, renovation and replacement projects, as well as the purchase of new textbooks and classroom technology.

This bond measure would allow the District to pay for:

  • Building maintenance and repairs, including replacing old plumbing, roofs, HVAC systems, flooring that contains asbestos tiles, windows, siding and making energy efficiency improvements.
  • Safety and security upgrades including seismic retrofits and fire alarm and security systems.
  • New textbook adoptions and classroom technology.
  • Replacing aging modular classrooms, making ADA improvements and upgrading playgrounds.
  • Contributing to the construction of an early childhood education center to prepare students for kindergarten.

A prior District bond will be paid off this year. The current tax rate for all outstanding bonds is an estimated $1.76 per $1,000 of assessed value. This costs the owner of a $140,000 home in David Douglas approximately $250 per year.

The $49.5 million proposed bond is structured to replace the expiring bond so that the estimated levy required to pay it off over 20 years would not allow the overall rate to exceed $1.76 per $1,000. If the new bond is approved, it is estimated that property tax payers in David Douglas would not see an increase in their current property tax rates attributable to the bond. This is an estimate only.

  • The proposed early childhood education and community resource center would only partially be built using bond proceeds. A consortium of private organizations and foundations would contribute the balance of the cost if the bond is approved.
  • The District would use some bond proceeds to leverage additional available state funding for energy efficiency projects.

A citizens bond oversight committee would be appointed by the School Board to ensure that bond proceeds are spent properly and only on projects described in this explanatory statement.

Submitted by:

Don Grotting,
Superintendent
David Douglas School District

No arguments AGAINST this measure were filed.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

For the last 36 years, my husband Mark and I have been active members of the David Douglas community. Our two sons graduated from David Douglas and a granddaughter will be attending a David Douglas school in a couple of years. My husband and I ran a small business in the district for 16 years and I am currently the Chief Administrative Officer for a Gresham consulting firm.

As a businesswoman, I can't think of a better investment than our local schools -- especially one that comes with no increase in the tax rate we pay for schools.

I began volunteering at Lincoln Park Elementary in 1976. I have been a room mother, tutor and PTA President. I am currently in my 21st year of service on the David Douglas School Board.

My combined experience in business, the education community, and community activism helps me to view issues facing our district from several perspectives -- but it all comes down to pride and preserving our community’s strength and values.

Insuring a strong, quality education is an essential part of the fabric of the David Douglas community. This community has taken justifiable pride ensuring our students and staff has safe, well maintained facilities in which to teach and learn. But with state funding for education declining, resources are limited and we have had to delay funding crucial items like maintenance, textbooks and computers.

Measure 26-135 will help pay for items such as roof repairs, water fountains so our kids have clean water, replacement of flooring which still contains asbestos, and plumbing and electrical improvements. Because an existing bond is being paid off, we can get these needed safety improvements without increasing our local property tax rate for schools.

Make our schools strong, safer and more sustainable without seeing increases in your tax rate! Please vote yes on Measure 26-135 on May 15th!

Frieda Christopher, Chief Administrative Officer
Cramer Fish Sciences

(This information furnished by Frieda Christopher, David Douglas Citizens for Schools)

The printing of this argument does no constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Measure 26-135 is truly a win-win for our community.

I currently chair the David Douglas School Board and have been a board member since the mid-1990s. My two daughters and two stepdaughters all graduated from David Douglas High School. I have a passion for our schools, but I’m also voting with my wallet. I have lived in the David Douglas School District for more than three decades and own two residential properties here.

I work in Government Relations for a Portland-based utility company and also serve on several regional advisory boards in east Portland concerned with taxes, zoning, economic development and urban renewal.

This proposed bond is structured to replace an existing bond, so we won’t pay any more property taxes for schools than we do now. This is very important for our families and businesses still struggling with the recession’s impact.

Measure 26-135 provides $49.5 million in safety improvements for our schools: to replace old drinking fountains that don’t produce clean drinking water, floor tiles than contain asbestos, roofs, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems that are old or outdated. New textbooks, computers and software will ensure our kids have the tools they need to become successful learners and good citizens.

Finally, the money raised by this bond stays in the community, helping our local economy recover from the recession. The District’s purchasing rules allow us to hire local businesses to do the work. This means providing jobs to David Douglas residents and work for local businesses.

Previous David Douglas generations invested in our school buildings. Our generation has the opportunity to reinvest in their safety and efficiency. Quality schools make kids want to come to school, are a source of community pride, and enhance property values. Please join me in voting FOR Measure 26-135 for safer, smarter and more sustainable David Douglas schools.

Annette Mattson, Chair
David Douglas School Board

(This information furnished by Frieda Christopher, David Douglas Citizens for Schools)

The printing of this argument does no constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

I am a fifth grade teacher with twenty years experience, all in the David Douglas School District. I am proud to be a part of this community, an environment that puts children first. My son attends one of the District’s excellent pre-school programs and has flourished under the care of outstanding teachers. These early learning centers are an important part of creating the solid foundation needed in order to prepare our students for success at higher grades and eventual graduation from high school.

Many of our school buildings are over forty years old and are beginning to show their age, even though our custodians and maintenance staff work hard to keep them in good shape. Our buildings need new roofs, plumbing and electrical equipment, earthquake upgrades and other safety improvements; including asbestos floor tiles that should be removed.

Our kids need clean and safe drinking water, as well as current textbooks, computers and software that will prepare them to eventually enter the workforce with the skills and knowledge to help them be successful and productive citizens. Our teachers have done more with less for a number of years now, and this is the time to show our support and commitment to education.

These investments also help preserve the integrity of what this community has worked so hard to maintain. Our high quality full-day kindergarten program, PE, music, art classes as well as college preparatory classes at the high school are the envy of teachers in other districts that have had to cut, or eliminate them altogether.

Fortunately, an existing school bond is expiring and we can fund these necessary improvements without raising the tax rate we pay for schools. That’s important for District residents, who are watching every penny they spend. We can continue to improve and conserve our buildings without paying more. Please join me in supporting Measure 26-135 on May 15.

Candy Wallace
Fifth Grade Teacher

(This information furnished by Frieda Christopher, David Douglas Citizens for Schools)

The printing of this argument does no constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

I'm a retired business owner. My wife Jackie and I have been a member of the David Douglas community for over fifty years. We both graduated from David Douglas High School, along with all three of our children. We have four granddaughters, one a DDHS graduate, one who graduates in June, and two more attending David Douglas middle schools. Our roots run deep to this community and to the school district.

For more than thirty years, Jackie and I ran a small construction business in the area. Over the years, I hired many David Douglas graduates. They came with solid skills and abilities and were good employees.

David Douglas has always received strong support from the community. With growing enrollment, older facilities, and reduced funding from the state, many delayed facility needs are now becoming urgent. The District has always prided itself on maintaining a safe and sound learning environment.

We need to show our pride in our schools by supporting measure 26-135…and it won't cost us a single penny more in property taxes.

Measure 26-135 will help pay for items such as roof repairs, water fountains so our kids have clean water, replacement of flooring which still contains asbestos, and plumbing and electrical improvements. These smart investments, including textbooks and computers, will maintain a safe environment for students for years to come and save money long-term.

Because an existing bond is being paid off, we can get these needed safety improvements without increasing our local property tax rate for schools. We can keep the pride and our budgets!

Safety, a continued clean and well maintained learning environment, and up-to-date textbooks and materials are all needed to provide our students with the tools to continue to be successful and productive members of our community. Please join me with your continued support of our district by voting YES on Measure 25-135 on May 15.

Donn Gardner
Retired Businessman

(This information furnished by Frieda Christopher, David Douglas Citizens for Schools)

The printing of this argument does no constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

I am the President of the David Douglas Educational Foundation and a 37-year resident of David Douglas. My three children all graduated from David Douglas High School and I have a granddaughter in a David Douglas elementary school.

The David Douglas Educational Foundation was formed to support the great programs -- music, reading, PE, and full day kindergarten that other school districts have cut -- and to foster partnerships between the district and private businesses, foundations and individuals. Since 1991, the Educational Foundation has raised more than $500,000 from private donors and the public to invest in these programs.

Measure 26-135 will help fund, with other public and private investments, an early learning center and community resource center. Early learning is so critical to potential success because 90% of children’s brains are developed by age five. Children who attend high quality early education programs are more likely to enter kindergarten ready for school, be reading at grade level by third grade, go on to graduate from high school and be productive members of our communities.

Measure 26-135 is a smart investment in a number of other ways as well -- it will extend the life of our school buildings, make needed heating, cooling, plumbing and energy efficiency improvements and provide a safe learning environment for our students--all without increasing our current property tax rate, since another bond measure for the schools is expiring.

I have been a “professional education volunteer” for more than thirty years working in elementary, middle and high schools, including serving simultaneously as PTA president at two different schools.

Just as my generation invested in these original school buildings, new residents and families will now “pay it forward’ with their tax dollars helping to maintain a safe, secure and quality education for this, and the next, generation of David Douglas families. Please vote YES for Measure 26-135.

Beverly Fischer, President
David Douglas Educational Foundation

(This information furnished by Frieda Christopher, David Douglas Citizens for Schools)

The printing of this argument does no constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

I am the Designated Broker of Realty Brokers, a family owned company in David Douglas School District since 1979. I am also the current President and long-time member of the Gateway Area Business Association. I have owned residential and commercial real estate and worked in the District since 1968.

Good schools help create significant value in our homes and businesses.

The David Douglas School District has provided a quality education to its citizens for as long as I can remember. Our community’s investment in education has produced generations of students prepared to take on the real world, to get good jobs and become productive members of society.

Measure 26-135 will maintain the initial investment previous property owners made when many of these buildings were constructed. These bond dollars will help repair roofs, provide new plumbing for the clean water fountains, remove asbestos containing flooring and renovate heating and cooling systems. These investments will maintain a safe environment, and provide new textbooks and computers, for yet another generation of students.

This bond will benefit everyone in the community. It makes schools safer, provides local jobs, protects our property values and, because an existing bond is being paid off, it won’t increase the tax rate we pay for schools by a single penny.

Today, the second, and even third, generation of David Douglas graduates are coming back to David Douglas, buying homes, getting jobs and sending their kids to David Douglas. Newcomers are settling here also, attracted by our full day kindergarten, art, music, athletics and college preparatory classes in the high school. They will help pay for these investments, too.

A significant measure of a community's success and prosperity is how it takes care of its children. Please join me in voting for Measure 26-135 as an investment in the safety, security and the future of the David Douglas community.

Fred Sanchez, owner
Realty Brokers

(This information furnished by Frieda Christopher, David Douglas Citizens for Schools)

The printing of this argument does no constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

With more than two decades as a classroom teacher, working for the David Douglas School District for the past fifteen years, I'm of course voting yes on Measure 26-135. But for many more reasons than you might think.

I've been a David Douglas resident for 14 years, enjoying leadership opportunities at the school and district level, including: mentoring teachers, managing programs for children needing extra academic support and raising or managing several million dollars in federal, state and local grants to serve our community’s children.

I've been a passionate advocate for Outdoor School, science and math education and community learning centers that involve parents in activities and classes to support their children’s academic success. The early learning center that Measure 26-135 will create with public and private investments will place kids on track early to be successful later in school. It's a great example of forward thinking leadership in our District.

I accept the responsibility to promote best practice in all aspects of my work, to ensure all students develop a foundation of knowledge so they can understand the world. Our students deserve a safe and well-equipped learning environment, with the textbooks and technology to prepare them for success beyond the building.

The David Douglas School District has a fifty-year legacy of providing the students in our community with first class opportunities from talented and dedicated staff, in well constructed and cared for facilities that are the centers of our neighborhoods. Our community has always come together to support the students in our district and we take tremendous pride in our schools and the achievements of our students.

Now, we need your support for Measure 26-135 to make sure we can build on the solid foundation others have laid and continue this legacy in a district that is Smart, Safe, and Sustainable. Please join me in voting for Measure 26-135 on May 15.

Cheryl Bland
Teacher

(This information furnished by Frieda Christopher, David Douglas Citizens for Schools)

The printing of this argument does no constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Please join me in voting yes for Measure 26-135.

I work for a major Oregon health care company, and I know first-hand that this is a time when people have to stretch their dollars to meet basic needs. I also believe that education is a basic need, one that sustains a community’s life, protects and nurtures its children and invests in the future.

Measure 26-135 will make David Douglas Schools safer, smarter and more sustainable, without increasing our tax rate for schools.

The bond is structured to replace an existing bond, which means we will continue to pay the same amount in property taxes for schools that we do now -- and families and businesses struggling with the recession’s impact can afford safe, smart and sustainable schools.

I'm currently serving my first term on the David Douglas School Board and have been an active volunteer in our community in faith-based and business-related efforts. I believe it’s important to give back to the community that nurtures and sustains me and my family.

The proposed bond provides needed safety improvements for our schools: new drinking fountains that supply clean drinking water, replacing asbestos containing floor tiles, new roofs and plumbing, and energy improvements that can help save money in the long run. New textbooks, computers and software will ensure our kids have up-to-date materials in their much improved classrooms.

I'm also a 48-year David Douglas resident and graduate of David Douglas High School. My daughter and son attended the same district schools I did and also graduated from David Douglas High School.

I believe we must ensure an excellent education for the next generation: safe and modern classrooms, with up-to-date instructional materials, without raising our tax rate for schools. Join me in investing in our community’s future by voting for Measure 26-135 on May 15.

Cheryl Scarcelli Ancheta,
David Douglas School Board Member

(This information furnished by Frieda Christopher, David Douglas Citizens for Schools)

The printing of this argument does no constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

For a safer, smarter and more sustainable David Douglas School District

Make our schools safer without seeing increases in your tax rate! Vote YES for Measure 26-135 on May 15th!

Measure 26-135 will update safety and technology in David Douglas schools. Because another bond for the schools expires this year, we can pass this bond and keep the rate we pay for the schools the same as it has been for years.

Measure 26-135 does something for everyone in the community. It will:

  • Make simple upgrades to schools, like roof repairs and replacing drinking fountains that produce brown water
  • Update textbooks and computers for all schools
  • Leverage private and public investment funds for an early education and community center that serves all ages
  • Provide local jobs
  • Protect local property values

Measure 26-135 is a win-win. Because another bond is expiring, the tax rate we pay for schools won’t increase! This means there will be money to make schools safer, our communities stronger, and it won’t affect household budgets.

David Douglas is growing, and changing with the times. Our schools are being recognized for excellence in teaching and learning. Measure 26-135 will keep our schools and communities strong by allowing the District to pay for:

  • Building maintenance and repairs; including replacing old plumbing, roofs, heating and cooling systems, and flooring that contains asbestos tiles
  • Safety and security improvements; including raising buildings’ earthquakes safety standards and replacing old fire alarms and security systems
  • New textbooks and technology for the classroom to give our kids a modern education
  •  An early childhood education and community resource center that would be paid for through a combination of bond funds and public and private investments
  • Leveraging additional state funding for energy efficiency improvement projects that would save more money in the future

YES on Measure 26-135 on May 15, 2012

(This information furnished by Frieda Christopher, David Douglas Citizens for Schools)

The printing of this argument does no constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.