Bond criteria and potential options
Quick links
- Potential options school bond
(web version) (PDF version)
中文 | Русский | Soomaaliga | Español | Tiếng Việt - Staff memo to school board on bond options(PDF)
- What schools would receive targeted educational and facilities improvements?
- Online Survey
- Bond Development Committee Scenario Planning Tool
Option A | Option B - FAQ
Why is PPS considering a school construction bond?
Nearly all PPS school buildings are aging and worn out. Roofs and pipes are leaking, electrical systems are inadequate for today’s technology, and earthquake resistance is far below current seismic safety standards. Schools also need more up-to-date classrooms— from science labs to media centers to smaller breakout spaces for effective teaching and learning.
A bond measure would allow the district to remedy building deficiencies and to modernize learning environments to support student achievement and prepare students to compete in the 21st century.
Can a school construction bond also pay for teachers and operational support?
No. A school construction bond can only be used for major renovations or replacement of school buildings. The last PPS construction bond was passed by voters in 1995 and funding expired in 2003.
What building problems would these bond proposals address?
School bonds typically pay for a blend of full rebuilds of some schools and targeted improvements at others.
What are full rebuilds ? Full rebuilds modernize learning spaces and address all deficient systems by rebuilding a school. This is the most cost-effective way to improve most PPS schools, due to age and condition.
Why are some schools recommended for rebuilding? A citizens committee recommended that Portland engage in a series of school construction bonds to upgrade all PPS schools over 30 years. Either of these proposed $449 million 8-year bond options would start that work. (The bond rate would be $1.00/$1,000 Assessed Value. The rate would be split between .70 cents paid over 8 years and .30 cents paid over an additional 12years.)
Schools proposed for this first phase of rebuilding meet these criteria:
- High schools at high seismic risk and in need of major access upgrades with either: (Option A) high enrollment or (Option B) high percentage of students eligible for free/reduced lunch.
- K-5 or K-8 schools at high seismic risk and in need of major accessibility upgrades with either: (Option A) high enrollment or (Option B) high percentage of free/reduced lunch eligible students. Faubion K-8 reflects a major capital partnership with Concordia University.
How were these criteria chosen? Criteria were reviewed and narrowed by a citizens committee, followed by input from community meetings and an online survey.
What are targeted educational and facilities improvements? Targeted improvements would address classroom, seismic, roof and ADA deficiencies in schools that would not be rebuilt in this bond
Targeted Improvements
| Educational Facility Improvements Schools being considered for improvements: |
|
 Science labs and learning technology at as many as 56 schools |
Science labs (Sinks and electrical upgrades for grade 6-8 science classes) at: Beaumont MS • Da Vinci MS • George MS • Gray MS • Hosford MS • Jackson MS • Lane MS • Mt Tabor MS • Sellwood MS • West Sylvan MS • Arleta K-8 • Astor K-8 • Beach PK-8 • Beverly Cleary K-8 • Bridger K-8 • Cesar Chavez K-8 • CSS K-8 • Creston K-8 • Grout K-8 • Harrison Park K-8 • Hayhurst K-8 • Irvington K-8 • Laurelhurst K-8 • King K-8 • Lee K-8 • Lent K-8 • Ockley Green K-8 • Peninsula K-8 • Roseway Heights K-8 • Sabin K-8 • Scott K-8 • Skyline K-8 • Sunnyside K-8 • Vernon K-8 • Vestal K-8 • Winterhaven K-8 • Woodlawn K-8 Technology: High-priority schools to be determined. |
| Physical Facility improvements Schools being considered for improvements: |
|
Seismic strengthening at as many as 27-30 schools |
Abernethy K-5 • Alameda K-5 • Arleta K-8 • Benson HS • Beach K-8 • Beverly Cleary K-8 • Boise-Eliot PK-8 • Beaumont MS • Buckman K-5 • Chief Joseph K-8 • Cleveland HS • CSS K-8 • Creston K-8 • Duniway K-5 • Grant HS • Grout K-8 • Hayhurst K-5 • Hosford MS • Jackson MS • James John K-5 • Jefferson HS • Lane MS • Llewellyn K-5 • MLC K-12 • Peninsula K-8 • Sabin PK-8 • Sunnyside K-8 • Woodlawn PK-8 • Roosevelt HS |
| Roof replacement/ seismic bracing at as many as 10-12 schools | Abernethy K-5 • Ainsworth K-5 • Alameda K-5 • Arleta K-8 • Boise-Eliot PK-8 • Buckman K-5 • Cleveland HS • CSS K-8 • Creston K-8 • Grant HS • Hosford MS • James John K-5 • Roosevelt HS |
| Roof replacement at 7-8 schools | Beverly Cleary K-8 • Bridlemile K-5 • Hayhurst K-5 • Jackson MS • Laurelhurst K-8 • Lewis K-5 • Maplewood K-5 • Sabin PK-8 • Wilson HS |
| Access: Improve accessibility to learning spaces at 33 schools | Arleta • Buckman • Beach • Benson • Cesar Chavez • Cleveland • Harrison Park • Holladay Annex & Center • Hosford • James John • Jefferson • King • Lane • Laurelhurst • Lee • Lincoln • Madison • Markham • Meek • MLC • Ockley Green • Peninsula • Richmond • Rigler • Roosevelt • Sabin • Scott • Sunnyside • Vestal • West Sylvan • Wilson • Winterhaven • Woodlawn |
Recommended Options
A citizens’ advisory group has concluded that extensive work is needed to bring PPS school buildings up to modern safety and learning standards. (This group included parents, teachers, business and community leaders, including construction experts.) Now, the Portland School Board is considering 2 options for a construction bond to launch a long-term plan to modernize schools. (These options address specific school upgrade priorities, which reflect community input.)
| Priority Option A: Seismic, Access and High Enrollment |
Priority Option B: Seismic, Access and High Poverty Schools |
||
$25M |
Educational Facility Improvements Upgrade all 6-8 science classrooms with sinks and electrical outlets and enhance educational technology. |
$25M |
Educational Facility Improvements Upgrade all 6-8 science classrooms with sinks and electrical outlets and enhance educational technology. |
| $63M | Seismic and other building improvements Seismic strengthening at 27-30 schools. Replace and seismically brace roofs at 10-12 schools. Replace roofs at 7-8 schools. |
$63M | Seismic and other building improvements Seismic strengthening at 27-30 schools. Replace and seismically brace roofs at 10-12 schools. Replace roofs at 7-8 schools. |
| $233M | Full rebuild or replacement These schools are identified as potential rebuilds:
1 K-8 – Faubion $28M 1 K-5 – Ainsworth $25M Other possible K-5s: Llewelyn, Abernethy |
$234M | Full rebuild or replacement These schools are identified as potential rebuilds :
1 K-8 – Faubion $28M 2 K-5 – James John $26M • Grout $25M |
| $45M | Debt repayment • Rosa Parks K-8. • Boiler conversions, prior roof replacements and other financed capital projects. |
$45M | Debt repayment • Rosa Parks K-8. • Boiler conversions, prior roof replacements and other financed capital projects. |
| $83M | Program costs Required reserves, materials and labor cost escalation, bond issuance costs and improvements and transportation to buildings where students attend school while their school is renovated. |
$83M | Program costs Required reserves, materials and labor cost escalation, bond issuance costs and improvements and transportation to buildings where students attend school while their school is renovated. |
| $449M | Total Bond Program | $449M | Total Bond Program |
| Estimated rate: $1.00/$1,000 of assessed value over 8 years, $0.30 over an additional 12 years. | Estimated rate: $1.00/$1,000 of assessed value over 8 years, $0.30 over an additional 12 years. | ||
