Lincoln County School District understands the importance of protecting the community’s dollar investment in school buildings and infrastructure through renovation projects at all schools, when appropriate and necessary.
After months of researching, planning and working closely with community members, school staff, engineers, architects and others, the School District has identified several priority projects to ensure that the county’s public schools are safe and continue to promote quality learning for current and future students.
The proposed bond would provide funds for School Construction, School Improvements, and Safety Improvements, as follows:
- Remove 39 portable classroom buildings that are unsafe and past their useful life – projects at Newport Prep Academy, Newport High, Oceanlake Elementary, Taft Elementary, Toledo Elementary, Toledo Jr./Sr. High, and Waldport High.
- Build and/or remodel classrooms and instructional space to meet future academic and technology requirements as more than half of district school buildings are between 53 and 61 years old –projects at Newport Prep Academy, Newport High, Oceanlake Elementary, Sam Case Primary, Taft Elementary, Toledo Elementary, and Toledo Jr./Sr. High.
- Consolidate educational resources by relocating Waldport High, which is vulnerable to tsunami, earthquake and flood, to a safer location adjacent to the existing Crestview Heights School.
- Make athletic field improvements for more efficient maintenance and regular, year-round use by students and community members – projects at Newport, Taft, Toledo, and Waldport high schools.
- Upgrade or renovate heating/ventilation, plumbing and electrical systems to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs – projects at all schools.
- Make site and building improvements – projects at many schools including roof replacement at Taft High.
- Make disability access and safety improvements – projects at all schools.
Same or Lower Taxes:
It is estimated that the bond measure would cost the taxpayer approximately 72 cents per $1,000 of assessed value each year. The actual rate would vary depending upon interest rates, assessed value growth and other factors. Taxpayers currently pay 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed value on bonds that mature in 2012, so there will be no overlapping of bond levies.
Lower Borrowing:
The School District has been authorized to sell $15 million worth of bonds at a greatly reduced interest rate through the federal Qualified School Construction Bond program; this significantly reduces the cost of borrowing, which is reflected in a lower property tax rate. If the bond is not approved, the School District will not be able to participate in the QSCB program this year and would have to reapply.
Local Job Creation:School improvement projects will spur economic reinvestment in local communities by using local subcontractors wherever possible as allowed by law.
Continued Citizen Involvement:Community members have been involved in the current school renovation process since the beginning, and will continue to be involved through a volunteer Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The committee will periodically review progress on project improvements, and consider and recommend project modifications to account for decreases or increases in construction costs.
