Board takes time to thoroughly consider options
Eugene School District 4J’s school board is considering referring a potential bond measure to voters on the November 2018 ballot to replace and improve aging school buildings and learning materials—but not yet. To allow more time for final consideration of the options, the board has postponed the decision to August.
The potential bond measure has been considered in a lengthy, thoughtful, community-engaged process, and the board is extending the discussion in that same spirit.
The bond measure development process began with an assessment of the district’s facility and materials needs and the development of an update to the district’s long-range facilities plan. More than $1 Billion in capital needs were identified in the district, including facility repairs and improvements, capacity to address overcrowding, security and safety, technology, and more.
The district conducted a series of community forums and surveys to help inform the potential project list for a bond measure that would address some, but not all, of the identified capital needs.
Community input and board discussions narrowed the list to a potential $385 million bond measure that would:
• Build four schools—new buildings for North Eugene High School, Edison Elementary School, Camas Ridge Elementary School, and a new elementary school to address overcrowding and projected population growth in the Sheldon region
• Renovate facilities for program relocations, including Yujin Gakuen, Corridor, ECCO, the NATIVES program, and Chinese immersion
• Improve school safety and security including entry security and some seismic upgrades
• Improve facility equity and access
• Support career technical education
• Replace aging school buses
• Adopt curriculum
• Modernize technology
• Provide critical maintenance, repairs and improvements.
The board originally had been slated to approve a final bond package on June 20, but postponed the decision to further consider the options and impacts before placing a bond measure on the ballot.
The board will reconvene in August to hold additional discussions and opportunities for community input, leading to a final decision on August 15.
