CENTENNIAL SCHOOL BOND TO RENOVATE, UPGRADE, REPLACE AND CONSTRUCT SCHOOLS
QUESTION: Shall District renovate existing schools, increase safety, construct new schools; issue general obligation bonds of $83.8 million with citizen oversight?
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, measure would provide funds to:
- Renovate existing schools by:
- Replacing leaky windows and roofs, rusty pipes, and update lighting, heating, ventilation systems, and flooring in oldest classrooms;
- Upgrading restrooms, drainage, technology access for students;
- Make safety upgrades at existing schools by updating fire alarms, electrical wiring, faulty plumbing; replacing asphalt, removing asbestos;
- Construct, equip and furnish new middle school and elementary school to address classroom crowding and growth;
- Replace alternative learning center building due to deteriorating condition and crowding;
- Pay off debt on land purchase for schools; pay for site improvements, required infrastructure and bond issuance costs;
- Establish citizen oversight committee to ensure funds are used as intended.
Bonds would mature in 26 years or less from the date of issuance and may be sold in more than one series . Estimated yearly cost would be approximately $1.35 per $1,000 assessed property value.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Centennial Public Schools serve 6,730 students in 10 schools.
Right now, Centennial Schools face a number of problems related to both aging school buildings and increasing student enrollment. For example:
- Centennial Middle School has 1,000 students and no more room for kids.
- Existing elementary schools have few, if any, vacant classrooms to accommodate another 600 students expected as a result of growth and development throughout the community.
- Several schools have out-of-date or inefficient heating & ventilation, windows, lighting, cabinetry, flooring, and rusty pipes.
The Centennial School bond will enable these problems to be addressed.
Voter approval will permit Centennial Schools to:
Reduce crowding and expand educational opportunities for students by
- Building a new middle school and elementary school at Southeast Foster and Southeast 172 nd.
- The elementary and middle school would be built simultaneously on the same site to reduce construction costs. The plan calls for the buildings to share a kitchen and boiler room as a way to reduce long-term operating costs and improve efficiency.
- Paying off debt for the land previously purchased for the two schools.
- Replacing the existing Centennial Learning Center (grades 7-12) with a new building on the existing site.
- The current building is a former church, originally built in 1959. Classrooms are smaller than traditional classrooms and lack essential instructional space, such as science labs.
- Rebuilding of the Learning Center would increase the number of students who could be served locally, and reduce the number of students who might otherwise drop out or attend more costly programs out of the district.
Repair, renovate and increase safety at aging school buildings to
- Update oldest, never-remodeled classrooms in existing elementary schools, including Lynch View, Lynch Wood, Harold Oliver Primary, Pleasant Valley
- Replace damaged and old flooring, cabinetry and sinks
- Replace windows and improve lighting to increase energy efficiency
- Replace or remove portable classrooms at Lynch Meadows
- Update parts of Centennial Middle School and Centennial High School 's vocational wing that have never been remodeled.
- Replace rusty or leaking pipes and plumbing fixtures
- Replace roofing, inadequate heating and ventilation
- Repair safety and health hazards. Projects would include removing playground hazards and asbestos, improving safety of walkways and steps that are in disrepair, and providing handicap access.
- Improve wiring for better access to technology
The principal amount of the bond issue will not exceed $83.8 million. The term of the bond will not exceed 26 years from the date of issue. Cost will be $1.35 per $1,000 assessed value, or about $18 a month for a typical Centennial home.
A construction excise fee on developers and state money targeting energy efficiency projects will be used to help offset costs.
An independent citizens oversight committee will be established to ensure funds are spent exactly as intended.
Submitted by:
Robert A McKean
Superintendent
Centennial School District
No argument AGAINST this measure were filed.
Measure No. 26-97 | Centennial School District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS
Centennial Public Schools serve 6,730 students in 10 schools.
Right now, Centennial's school buildings face both aging and overcrowded classrooms.
Several schools suffer from out-of-date or inefficient heating & ventilation, windows, lighting, flooring, and rusty pipes.
Overcrowding in some schools means strained classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and teachers.
But we can help – by voting Yes for the Centennial School Bond, which will allow:
Renovation of aging school buildings to:
- Repair safety and health hazards- removing playground hazards and asbestos, improving safety of walkways and steps in disrepair and providing handicap access.
- Update classrooms in existing elementary schools,
- Replace damaged and old flooring, windows, and lighting to increase energy efficiency
- Update parts of Centennial Middle School and Centennial High School 's vocational wing that have never been remodeled.
- Replace rusty or leaking pipes and fixtures.
- Replace roofing, inadequate heating and ventilation.
- Improve wiring to give kids and teachers better access to technology.
Reduce crowding and expand educational opportunities for students by:
- Building a new middle school and elementary school at Southeast Foster and 172nd.
- These schools would share a site, a kitchen and heating plant to reduce construction costs and improve operational efficiency.
- Replacing Centennial Learning Center (grades 7-12) with a new building on the existing site.
- Rebuilding would increase the number of students served locally, and reduce the number of students who might otherwise drop out.
Bond payments will be structured so that new residents moving into the community will pay their fair share.
A construction excise fee on developers and state money targeting energy efficiency projects will be used to help offset costs.
An independent citizens oversight committee will be established to ensure funds are spent exactly as intended.
We all count on our schools; now they're counting on us.
Please vote YES for Centennial Schools!
Citizens for Centennial Schools
(This information furnished by Kelly Morency, Citizens for Centennial Schools)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-97 | Centennial School District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
PARENTS VOLUNTEERING IN THE CLASSROOM SAY:
PLEASE SUPPORT SAFE, UNCROWDED SCHOOLS
We are parents of students in several Centennial Schools, and we volunteer in our children's classroom and schools. We see that our children are receiving an excellent education.
We also see firsthand how our school population is exploding. Many of our schools are out of space. Centennial Middle School has nearly 1,100 students with a capacity of about 900.
Classrooms in these schools must serve more kids than they were designed to hold. Cafeterias, hallways, bathrooms and libraries are strained. Crowded classrooms mean larger class sizes, reducing individual attention teachers can give students.
Please join us in supporting the Centennial School Bond Measure 26-97 which will:
- Relieve student overcrowding and overpopulated schools by building a new elementary and new middle school which will be built on the same site to save money;
- Update the oldest, never-remodeled classrooms in existing elementary schools to replace or remove some portable classrooms;
- Update the vocational education wing of the high school; and
- Replace one school that would be more cost-effective to replace than restore.
Measure will also make repairs and basic safety repairs to older schools:
- Fix leaky roofs;
- Repair aging heating/ventilation systems, update classroom lighting;
- Renovate outdated fire and security systems and improve earthquake preparedness;
- Repair school playgrounds to make them safer.
Our Centennial school buildings are nearly in crisis and we all have an interest in retaining their top-notch status – for our children and our neighborhoods to count on a strong future.
Kids need room, and a safe place, to learn. Quality neighborhoods need quality schools. Please join us in supporting our Centennial Schools.
Jill Dayton, PV parent volunteer
Sheila Huettemann, Lynch Wood parent volunteer
Julie Skarphol, Harold Oliver parent volunteer
Lisa Fiebranz, Lynch View parent volunteer
Lori Carscallen, Lynch Meadows parent volunteer
Stacey Atteberry, CMS parent volunteer
Kathy Emert, CHA Booster Club president
(This information furnished by Jill Dayton, Citizens for Centennial School)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-97 | Centennial School District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
OVERCROWDED AND DETERIORATING SCHOOLS JEOPARDIZE EDUCATION
Centennial School Teachers Urge Community Support for Safer, Uncrowded School Buildings.
We are Centennial public school teachers, all of whom are proud to have inspired excellence in our students. Our schools are well-managed, dynamic and vital to area children.
The result is one of Oregon 's best school districts - one that is accountable with our tax dollars and has strong community support.
However, our overcrowded schools jeopardize teachers' ability to offer a topnotch education to our children:
- Crowding makes safety a concern because supervising congested playgrounds, cafeterias and hallways is more difficult;
- Crowding means kids don't always get the attention they need;
- Crowded schools have makeshift classrooms in small windowless rooms or teacher work spaces; environments not conducive to learning.
We love our jobs, but we need reasonable class sizes and facilities so we can be effective in inspiring our students to be the best they can be.
The Centennial School Bond will give our students room to learn by:
- Building two new schools (on the same site to save money) and replacing another school that is more expensive to fix than to replace. This will create more effective learning environments, and help prevent dropouts.
It will protect the community investment in older buildings by:
- Repairing leaky roofs and windows, updating lighting, and renovating old heating and ventilation systems that impact our students' ability to concentrate and learn.
That's why this bond has the strong support of local teachers and school staff.
Please vote YES to Give Kids A Safe Place and Enough Room, to Learn.
BJ Basinski, high school social studies teacher
Laura Scully. middle school math teacher
Traci Hildner, alternative school teacher
Amy Foster, elementary teacher
Paula Nelson. elementary teacher, past union president
(This information furnished by BJ Basinski, Citizens for Centennial Schools)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-97 | Centennial School District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Custodians say Centennial School Bond will make urgent repairs they can no longer fix through routine maintenance.
As custodians and maintenance personnel who work and live in the Centennial School District , we take pride in ensuring our buildings provide a healthy, safe learning environment for students, teachers and staff. We also want schools that will last a long time and be assets to our local neighborhoods.
Simply put, we need the Centennial School bond measure because our schools are worn out and_crowded. Here's how our buildings look from the inside:
- Rusty pipes have sprung leaks so many times there isn't a place to patch them when new leaks occur.
- Asbestos flooring needs to be removed. Some flooring is 50 years old. Cracked vinyl tiles can't be matched when we try to replace them.
- Countertops duct-taped to worn-out cabinetry about 50 years old.
- Inadequate heating and ventilation systems. Teachers and students have to wear coats in part of one school when the weather's very cold.
- Poor lighting and deteriorating windows are leaking and energy inefficient. Windows are so old and frames so damaged you can see daylight between the window and the framing of the building.
- Cracked and uneven asphalt is hazardous for pedestrians and for kids on the playgrounds.
- Leaking roofs need to be replaced.
The Centennial Bond measure will allow us to make the urgent safety repairs our older buildings need that we can no longer fix through routine maintenance or “band aids.”
These repairs are essential to keeping out schools safe, healthy and assets to our local neighborhoods.
Curt Halgren, high school custodian
Tom Henry, middle school custodian
Joe Soulagnet, maintenance supervisor
Jose Dizon, elementary custodian
(This information furnished by Curt Halgren, Citizens for Centennial Schools)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-97 | Centennial School District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A MESSAGE FROM LOCAL RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS
VOTE YES TO IMPROVE SCHOOL SAFETY
We care deeply about protecting our quality schools. They determine the strength and vitality of our neighborhoods and communities.
As former law enforcement officers, we also care about safety: the safety strong schools bring to our community and the safety of children learning inside.
That's why we urge a YES vote for the Centennial School Bond Measure.
Centennial Schools face two urgent problems – deteriorating buildings and school overcrowding:
- We worry about outdated fire and security systems, rusty water pipes, asbestos in flooring, and sidewalks or playgrounds with cracked asphalt. and old heating and ventilation systems in our existing schools.
- We worry about schools that are serving more kids than they were designed to hold with strained hallways, cafeterias, libraries and gyms.
The Centennial School Bond will build two schools and replace another – so that kids have room to learn and can focus on their work.
The Centennial School Bond will allow the schools to make basic, critical repairs that will help us protect the community investment in the buildings and most importantly, protect the students who count on them to be prepared for the future.
Centennial Schools are carefully managed and have a strong reputation for excellence. They are one of the key reasons our kids can get a strong start in the world – for career or college.
Strong schools keep kids in school and out of trouble. If our schools falter, so will our neighborhoods.
The Centennial School Bond is reasonable and a good investment in our community and our future.
It will help keep our children and teachers safe and enhance the learning environment that prepares them for life.
As retired police officers who live in the area, we urge you to Vote YES for measure 26-97, The Centennial School Bond.
Brad Ritschard, retired police officer
Dorothy Elmore, retired asst. police chief
(This information furnished by Brad Ritschard, Citizens for Centennial Schools)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-97 | Centennial School District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Why should people with grown-up kids support our local schools?
We are residents of east Portland and Gresham whose kids are gone from home. As retirees and empty nesters, we're suspicious of new taxes, since everything we save means we have more to live on, particularly those of us already retired.
Yet, we'll be voting YES for Centennial Schools' Bond. Why?
- Our local public school is an important community institution. People use the building and grounds during and after school for recreation, and community gatherings. It's an affordable, convenient place for these activities. That should continue. – but only if buildings are safe. This measure will make the urgent safety repairs our older buildings need – to electrical systems, heating and ventilation, lights, damaged asphalt and leaky roofs.
- Schools help retain my property value, and yours. As long as we have good schools, we continue to attract new residents – including young families with children. That means something to my bottom line, and to yours, too. But many of our schools are overcrowded, or will be soon. We need more space, or families may leave or choose not to move here. The bond builds two new schools – on the same site to be economical. It also replaces one that's too costly to repair.
Our schools are a sound investment for our neighborhoods, our kids, and for empty-nesters. Because no bond funds can be used for administration, and citizen oversight is required of how these dollars are spent – we get accountability for these tax dollars.
We owe it to today's children to ensure they get the education they need to compete in tomorrow's workplace, just as our parents and grandparents and many community residents did for us.
We're VOTING YES for our Centennial Schools and so should you.
Stan Cioeta, retired
Michael Middal, retired
Donald Giard, retired
Daniel Holcombe, retired
Sue Walters, private school administrator
Amy Peterson, loss prevention
(This information furnished by Stan Cioeta, Citizens For Cenntennial Schools)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-97 | Centennial School District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Local Business say The Centennial School Bond is vital to keeping our schools strong, and is accountable
As a small business owner in Centennial School District 16 years, I believe our schools are an extremely important part of our community and are vital in promoting a healthy economy.
In order for our local children to be successful, they need a positive, safe and structured environment in which to learn. The community needs a reliable school system to retain property values and be attractive to families.
Many of our schools are overcrowded. Several of our buildings need repairs to leaking roofs, old lighting systems, and faulty heating and ventilation systems.
It is time to make these long overdue improvements to our schools.
In addition, we are in serious need of building two new schools to accommodate the explosive growth taking place.
I urge a YES vote on the Centennial bond so our community’s children will have a high quality education, thus preparing them for college and the workplace.
The Centennial School Bond will protect our older schools, allowing the district to make all necessary repairs and improvements. It will also allow two new schools to be built on one site to help minimize building costs.
As a small business operator, I watch the bottom line. Centennial School District will be accountable with our tax dollars. The bond measure includes an independent citizen oversight committee to ensure the funds are used as the voters intended.
Passing the Centennial School Bond is necessary to keep our schools strong and is a great investment for the future of our children and our community.
As an active volunteer in the schools, a coach on the playing field and a business owner in the community for over 16 years, I can truly see the need for all these improvements.
Robin Day, owner Robin’s Walk-In Closet
(This information furnished by Robin Day)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-97 | Centennial School District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Centennial Grads say: Help students get the same quality education we received
We are graduates of Centennial's fine schools. We've gone on to work in construction, teaching and retail, among other things. Our education helped us get where we are today.
Now we live in the community and know that strong schools are key for our kids' futures and for maintaining healthy, vibrant neighborhoods where people want to live. Generations before us made it possible for us to enjoy quality schools. We need to do the same for generations following us.
Please join us in keeping up our local schools – vote YES on Centennial's School Bond.
Centennial Schools provide an outstanding education; however it's much harder in deteriorating and crowded schools:
Some local schools are getting old and worn out. Rusty pipes, failing roofs, drafty windows, asbestos flooring, and inadequate heating present safety issues.
We're out of space. More students are on the way.
Our Centennial Middle School is over capacity with more than 1,000 students.
The Centennial Bond Measure would:
- Build a new middle school and elementary school, on the same site
- Renovate the oldest classrooms that are showing their age.
- Replace the Centennial Learning Center (grades 7-12) with a new structure on the same site that would have space for more students.
- Repair health and safety hazards.
Payments are structured so new families moving into Centennial pay their fair share. An independent citizen oversight committee will ensure funds are used as voters intended.
Please VOTE YES for Centennial Schools.
A good education is the best gift we can give our kids.
Maintaining our schools is the best investment we can make for our community.
We need to leave a legacy to the generation coming up, just as those before us provided quality schools for us.
Dick Bertelsen, retired teacher
Heidi Peterson, director, non-profit organization
Angela Ronnfeldt, retail store manager
Derek Cyphers, safety officer
Toby Oswalt, equipment operator
(This information furnished by Dick Bertelsen, Citizens For Centennial Schools)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-97 | Centennial School District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Don't forget us! We're the kids affected by crowding, safety issues
If you've ever been stuck in a traffic jam when you're in a hurry, that's what it feels like getting around Centennial Middle School when kids are trying to get to class.
It's crowded!
At lunchtime there are so many kids in the cafeteria at the same time, you have to wait forever to get lunch; then hope you find a seat. And some kids have classes in rooms that weren't built to be classrooms.
Stuff we're missing
At the Centennial Learning Center , we don't have basic stuff that other schools have, like science labs or a kitchen/cafeteria. We need the same tools as kids in other schools so we can learn as much and get as good an education.
Things need to be fixed!
Some of us are in classrooms that are too cold in the winter and too hot in summer. Some windows are so old they're painted shut. Kids and adults can easily trip on playgrounds and paths where asphalt is broken and cracked.
Here's why we think you need to vote “yes” on the Centennial bond
- Kids need less crowded classrooms to learn. This bond measure will give us more space so we don't have such big classes in some schools, like Centennial Middle School . We'll have classrooms for more teachers as more kids come to our schools.
- Kids' safety is important so we can concentrate on school. This bond measure will make safety repairs to our older buildings and give us classrooms that have decent light, enough heat, roofs that don't leak and safe school grounds.
We want to do well in school, but it's hard to focus on academics when you're in crowded classrooms or a school that needs major repairs.
Please – VOTE YES for our Centennial Schools.
Bailey Ritschard, 9th grader
Chaz Pierce, 9th grader
Natalie Burback, 8th grader
Sarah Morrell, 11th grader
(This information furnished by by Sharlene M. Giard, Citizens for Centennial Schools )
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.