Notice of Measure Election - Portland School District - May 2017 Election

NOTICE of Measure Election

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Portland School District board has referred the following measure to the voters in the district in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties, at the May 16, 2017 Special election. Any registered voter dissatisfied with the Ballot Title may file a petition with the Multnomah County Circuit Court for review on or before 5:00 PM, March 17, 2017. Any person filing a challenge must also file a copy of the challenge with the Director of Elections, 1040 SE Morrison St., Portland, by the end of the next business day after the petition is filed with the Circuit Court.

Ballot Title

BONDS TO IMPROVE HEALTH, SAFETY, LEARNING BY MODERNIZING, REPAIRING SCHOOLS

QUESTION: Shall Portland Public Schools improve health and safety, modernize and repair schools, build education facilities, by issuing $790,000,000 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 finance or refinance capital costs, including projects that:

• Reduce or eliminate exposure to hazardous materials districtwide, including lead, asbestos, and radon;
• Upgrade fire alarm and/or sprinkler systems;
• Improve accessibility for people with disabilities;
• Repair or replace leaking or deteriorating school roofs;
• Upgrade school safety and security;
• Strengthen schools against earthquakes;
• Renovate or replace schools, including Benson, Lincoln, Madison, and Kellogg, to improve health and safety and provide up-to-date classrooms and facilities, and increase access to technology and modern learning environments; and

Citizen accountability and oversight, including audits of bond projects and expenditures will be required.

Bonds may be issued in one or more series, with each series maturing in 30 years or less.

The average levy rate for this bond issue is estimated to be $0.68 per $1,000 of assessed value over 30 years. The levy rate is estimated to be $1.40 per $1,000 for the first four years, declining thereafter. Rates may differ based on interest rates and changes in assessed value.