BALLOT TITLE
REYNOLDS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND AUTHORIZATION
QUESTION: Shall Reynolds School District be authorized to issue general obligation bonds not exceeding $56,500,000 to expand and improve its facilities? 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: This measure may be passed only at an election with at least a 50 percent voter turnout.
If approved, bonds will finance:
• Capital repairs and renovations needed district wide, including replacing aging roofs, electrical and plumbing systems, improving air quality, building cafeterias, and other upgrades for special needs students to create safer, more efficient schools.
• A neighborhood school, built on district owned land, turning the existing Administration Building into an elementary school to relieve overcrowding.
• Using existing land, construction of a safer, more efficient Reynolds Middle School, with a separate wing for alternative high school students and accommodating the central office.
• To relieve overcrowding at Reynolds High School, 28 classrooms and an auditorium will be constructed, equipped and furnished, and other improvements.
• Upgrading and expanding computer network and hub connections for all schools, increasing students' access to technology.
Associated building and bond issuance costs are included.
Bonds will mature over a period not exceeding 20 years with repayment structured so that new taxpayers will assist in paying for the bond.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Reynolds School District is being challenged by unprecedented population growth and aging buildings. This measure would create new buildings, renovate existing facilities to accommodate enrollment increases, and allow major repairs of aging school buildings throughout the district.
Population Increases
New families are moving into the district; 1,683 new students will live in Reynolds School District by 2003.
Elementary School Student Growth
By 2003, elementary enrollment will grow by 20%, or 950 students. Our 10 elementary schools are nearing capacity, and by this fall they will be over capacity. The bond would allow another elementary school to be built using existing land and facilities of the Administrative Building. By converting the Administration Building into a 500 student capacity elementary school the increase in elementary population would be accommodated.
Middle School Student Growth
The growth will bring 433 more middle school students. Reynolds Middle School has the capacity to house more students, but the design of the school, which opened in 1957 as the high school, is one not built to last. Classroom wings were constructed with asbestos panels and cracks in walls and floors are beyond repair. If Reynolds Middle School is rebuilt, the extensive renovation would make it a safer and healthier building.
In addition, the bond would build a wing at the Reynolds Middle School site, for 300 students who currently receive alternative education in the Administration Building. The old, North gym would be renovated into space to accommodate the central office staff.
High School Student Growth
It is expected that 300 additional students will attend Reynolds High School by 2003. The proposed bond would build 28 classrooms and an auditorium on the existing RHS campus. This would not involve the purchase of new land and would prepare enough classrooms for new students.
Capital Repairs
A 1995 bond which built Walt Morey Middle School and Woodland Elementary School, also provided funds for some roofs and building repairs. However, the average age of our 14 schools is 41 years. Many of our schools are not as healthy or as safe as they should be. Roofs are leaking. This results in mold and mildews that contribute to poor air quality. Pipes are old and water at some schools is brown. Settling has caused problems. Heat pumps are inefficient. Under the proposed bond, capital repairs would be made to roofs, windows, doors, walls and ceilings. Efficient heating systems would be installed. Cafeterias would be added to four schools where gyms currently are used for that purpose. Buildings would be made more handicapped accessible and safer for all students.
Cost To Tax Payers
The cost per $1,000 would be $1.29. Based on the average assessed value of $100,000 home, the bond would cost $10.75 a month, or $129 a year. The bond would be structured so that new homeowners who move into Reynolds School District in the future will assist in paying for it.
Submitted by Hudson F. Lasher, Ed.D, Superintendent, Reynolds School District
No arguments AGAINST this measure were filed.
REYNOLDS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7
Measure 26-3
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
The Reynolds Education Foundation (REF) was established in 1997 for the purpose of unifying the Reynolds community and supporting excellence in our public schools.
The current bond request represents a fiscally responsible and realistic effort on behalf of the Reynolds Board of Education to ensure that our schools continue to provide appropriate, healthy, safe and effective learning environments for all our children. At the core of this bond is a desire to increase student performance, address overcrowding in our schools, maximize utilization of existing district resources and prepare for the inevitable growth that our community will realize in coming years.
Over the past decade, the Reynolds School District has been a statewide leader in educational reform, a thoughtful steward of limited resources, and has championed the needs of ALL students within our community. All this has been done in an environment of uncertainty regarding school funding and growing public debate over the role of public schools should/could play in support of families and children in our state.
In the middle of this uncertainty is our KIDS! Children who need to learn to read, solve problems, and compete in the changing world of the twenty-first century. If passed, this bond measure will not solve the state's school funding problems. It will, however, ensure that while legislators, bureaucrats, and educational leaders debate the "big picture", students in the Reynolds School District have appropriate, healthy, safe and effective learning environments.
Our schools are in a serious state of disrepair. This reality has resulted not from poor planning or fiscal mismanagement, but rather from a commitment on the part of district leaders, over the past several years, to target scarce resources at student learning. Now we, the Reynolds community, have the opportunity to show support for the districts on-going commitment to our kids.
The Reynolds Education Foundation strongly supports the Reynolds School District in this bond request. Please vote "yes" for our schools, our community and our kids!
(This information furnished by John Nelsen, Chairman, Reynolds Education Foundation)
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.
REYNOLDS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7
Measure 26-3
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
The Gresham Area and East Portland Chambers of Commerce Public Affairs Councils endorse the Reynolds School District's bond measure. This measure addresses school and community safety issues plus educational commitment to children. A successful business community depends upon efficient, effective use of taxpayers' resources. Please support our schools with your vote.
Reynolds School District is being challenged by population growth and aging buildings. More families are moving into the district and within three years, 1,683 new students will be in Reynolds schools. In 1995, two new schools were built, but all schools are now full. The average age of the schools is 41 years and many are not as safe or healthy as they need to be.
The $56.5 million bond being proposed by Reynolds will...
• Make existing schools safer and healthier with capital repairs...
New roofs, windows, doors, walls, ceilings, heating, plumbing and cafeterias would be installed in older schools.
• Construct a new elementary school, utilizing the administration building site...
By 2003, elementary enrollment will grow by 950 students. The bond would build a new elementary school using existing land and facilities of the Administration Building which will accommodate the elementary growth.
• Construct a safer, more efficient Reynolds Middle School with added alternative education classrooms and turn the North gymnasium into offices...
Reynolds Middle School was so poorly constructed in 1957, that it is beyond repair. If it is rebuilt as a 950 student facility, it would handle the new student growth, and have the capacity to house alternative education now offered in the Administration Building.
• Construct 28 classrooms and an auditorium at Reynolds High School...
300 additional students will attend by 2003. The proposed bond would not involve the purchase of new land and would prepare enough classrooms for new students.
The cost of the bond will be structured so new homeowners moving into the district will assist in the payment.
(This information furnished by Carol Nielsen - Hood, Gresham Area and East Chambers of Commerce Public Affairs Councils)
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.
REYNOLDS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7
Measure 26-3
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
VOTE YES FOR BOND MEASURE 26-3
Why, you might ask should you vote yes? Because the needs are great and REAL! School districts have no other avenue for money for capital repairs and construction. The amount of money available each year for maintenance is not enough to build new schools or make major repairs. BOND MONEY CANNOT BE USED FOR STAFF SALARIES, TEXTBOOKS OR SUPPLIES.
What are the needs? Reynolds is still experiencing huge student increases: By 2003 we will have 1,683 more students than last year! The average age of our buildings is 41 years old. They need major upgrades and repairs to be safe, healthy learning centers.
VOTE YES FOR SAFE SCHOOLS
Some schools in our district were built in 1926 or before. We have deferred maintenance throughout the years to have more money for kids in the classroom. Now our schools are in dire need of repairs. Measure 26-3 will make necessary repairs to facilities to improve safety and structural integrity. Many of our schools have the office in the middle of the school. In today's world that is not a safe design. We must move those offices to the entrance of buildings.
VOTE YES FOR ADEQUATE CLASSROOM SPACE
All our schools are at or over capacity. Every available space is currently being used for students. Where will we put the 1,683 new students? We have a moral responsibility to be ready for these kids and cannot wait until they are already here to add classrooms. We must be prepared! This bond will not require land purchase and will meet our growth needs for a long time without over building facilities.
VOTE YES FOR OUR FUTURE
Measure 26-3 will affect students at all levels: elementary, middle and high school. It is prudent use of tax payer dollars. We need your support and your YES vote!
VOTE YES FOR KIDS IN REYNOLDS
(This information furnished by Renee Sessler, Reynolds School District Board of Education Chair)
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.
REYNOLDS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7
Measure 26-3
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Top 10 Reasons to Vote YES on Measure 26-3
10. The kids are coming! 1,683 more are coming! They need a seat in a classroom.
9. Repairs will only cost more later.
8. Our heat pumps are so old... we can't get replacement parts.
7. Leaky roofs make stinky classrooms.
6. Offices should be at the front door, not in the middle of the building.
5. It makes the best use of land and facilities we already own.
4. New development will pay their share.
3. Gyms should be for basketball, not breakfast.
2. 10,500 students don't fit in classroom space for 9840.
and the number on reason to vote YES
1. Mold belongs in cheese, not on classroom walls.
Reynolds School District is still experiencing unprecedented growth. All our resources are being stretched. Reynolds has committed to keeping programs such as elementary band and orchestra, TAG, Outdoor School and P.E. often by sacrificing an already too small maintenance budget.
More and more students are using our aging buildings. The only solution is building more classrooms and making major renovations before our buildings become critical. In fact this summer, two schools will get new roofs at a cost of $1 million because of potential structural damage. If this bond fails, that money will have to come from the general operating budget and will impact programs available to our students.
Measure 26-3 makes the best use of your tax dollar. Safe school buildings are an asset to everyone. For only $10.75 a month ($1.29/1,000), you can protect the investment patrons have already made. Our buildings are used by the community daily, for churches, for meetings, by sports groups and individuals.
Reynolds is planning for the future. Within 5 years, the growth in East County will slow significantly. Measure 26-3 uses existing school property and buildings in the most efficient manner to prepare for the growth and the end of the growth.
VOTE YES FOR REYNOLDS
(This information furnished by Donna Edgley, Reynolds Neighbors for Kids)
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.
REYNOLDS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7
Measure 26-3
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Resolution to Support Measure 26-3
WHEREAS, the citizens of Reynolds School District appreciate the manner in which Reynolds School District has managed even in "safety net" days to keep teachers in front of students often at the cost of repairing and improving the buildings; and
WHEREAS, the bond of 1995 was the first capital improvement bond in more than 20 years which allowed us to build two new schools and then begin to address the 2 decades of leaks and squeaks; and
WHEREAS, five years have passed since we fixed the roofs that would only last five years and it has continued to rain on the roofs that didn't get fixed and that are now five years older; and
WHEREAS, the number of students enrolling in Reynolds School District continues to climb even though we don't have classroom space for them; and
WHEREAS, the available land for development in our district is rapidly being used up, with an end to the growth in sight, and being ever mindful of the pitfalls of overbuilding facilities and the importance of maintaining facilities for the safety of the students, staff and community; and
WHEREAS, as the new residents to our community will pay their fair share of the bond costs; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that Bond Measure 26-3 will
A. Provide Reynolds School District with enough appropriate, safe classrooms for the students enrolled and the 1,683 more that are coming; and
B. Be the best use of taxpayers dollars by not requiring the purchase of new land to build facilities; and
C. Make the capital repairs to existing buildings that will extend their useful life and make them safe and healthy learning centers for students and staff.
Vote Yes for Reynolds Students
(This information furnished by Pamela Fenton, Walt Morey MS PTSA.)
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.