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Multnomah Co. Online Voters' Guide
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DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 40 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND AUTHORIZATION QUESTION: Shall David Douglas School District No. 40 be authorized to issue general obligation bonds not exceeding $45,000,000? 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, this measure provides funds to finance capital construction and improvements, and pay bond costs. Specifically, this measure would:
The Bonds would mature in thirty (30) years or less from issuance date and may be issued in one or more series. |
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Nearly 10,000 students get a high quality education in David Douglas Schools, according to test scores, community surveys, and college enrollment statistics.
That's over 2,100 more students than seven years ago and the highest number of students in the district's history. As a result, classrooms are overcrowded and buildings are at capacity. Enrollment is expected to increase each year for the next 10 years.
Voter approval of this bond measure would permit David Douglas School District to:
- Relieve overcrowding and reduce class size
Add classrooms and make other improvements at existing schools
Construct and furnish one new elementary school on district-owned property - Protect students and the community's investment in our schools
Renovate, improve, and upgrade aging facilities
Make safety, health, and security improvements
- Prepare students for meaningful careers
Construct and equip professional technical classrooms at David Douglas High School
Renovate classrooms for vocational preparation
In addition, this bond measure would provide funds to purchase land for future school construction and pay associated building site improvement and bond issuance costs.
The principle amount of the bond will not exceed $45 million.
The average cost to property owners for the bond measure is approximately $1.12 per $1,000 of assessed value over the life of a 20 year bond, or $16 per month for the average homeowner. Rates could be less depending on interest rates and the growth in the district's total assessed value.
| Submitted by: | |
| Barbara Rommel, Superintendent |
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ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
The David Douglas business community supports Measure 26-85.
As employers, we depend on a well-prepared work force. When we hire a new employee, we need to know that they are ready to work and contribute at a high level.
That's why we support the David Douglas School District construction bond measure.
The David Douglas School District seeks to help students “learn today to live tomorrow.” That's exactly as it should be. When our local students graduate from David Douglas High School, they need to either be ready to succeed in college, or prepared to excel in the workforce. Bond Measure 26-85 will help make that happen.
Measure 26-85 will ease overcrowding, maintaining lower class sizes and helping kids learn.
Measure 26-85 will create new, state-of-the-art labs at David Douglas High for auto tech, electronics, carpentry and metals, providing our students with the skills they need to succeed in today's work world.
As business people, we know the importance of protecting our investments. Measure 26-85 protects the community's investment in its school buildings with needed facility improvements and updates.
Measure 26-85 protects our children with safety and security improvements.
Please join the David Douglas business community by voting yes on Measure 26-85.
Midway Business Association
Portland Business Alliance
Gateway Area Business Association
(This information furnished by Eric Nelsen,
David Douglas Citizens for 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. |
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
David Douglas Booster Clubs and PTAs support Measure 26-85!
The Booster Clubs and PTAs of the David Douglas School District support our local schools because we know that they provide our children their best chance to prepare for a future in college and work.
David Douglas schools have done a great job of preserving a wide range of programs like professional-technical education, music, art and athletics, all the while preserving excellence in core academics. Our students have a wide choice of interests to pursue as they prepare for their future. David Douglas is also one of the few districts in Oregon to offer full-day kindergarten to all eligible students.
But the fact is most of our schools have used up all their available classrooms and are beginning to convert places like stages and storage rooms into instructional areas. If our kids are truly going to “learn today to live tomorrow,” they need the room to do it.
We support Measure 26-85 because:
- Our kids need more room to learn
- Our kids need lower class sizes
- Our kids need to keep their wide range of educational options
- Our kids need the safety and security improvements in this bond measure
- Our community needs to protect its investment in our schools
For our kids and community, please vote yes on Measure 26-85.
Karen Britton, President, David Douglas High School PTSA
Capriece Karpa, President, Alice Ott Middle School Boosters
Ken Hutchins, President, Cherry Park Elementary PTA
Kimberly Stonewall Carlson, President, Earl Boyles Elementary Booster Club
James Braet, President, Gilbert Park Elementary PTA
Lauren Brundidge, President, Lincoln Park Elementary Booster Club
Tory Engelgau, President, Menlo Park Elementary Booster Club
Barbara Tew, President, Mill Park Elementary Booster Club
Thomas L. Erickson, President, West Powellhurst Elementary Booster Club
(This information furnished by Eric Nelsen,
David Douglas Citizens for 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. |
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Citizens for Schools urges a YES vote on Measure 26-85
The David Douglas School District has long been a leader in educational excellence in the Portland area. This reputation is so widely known that people are moving to the district because of the wonderful schools. This increase in population, along with increased development, has caused class sizes to rise dramatically whereas other large school districts in the area are seeing a decrease in their enrollment.
This fall, Citizens for Schools is asking for a YES vote on Measure 26-85 to help alleviate this overcrowding. This measure would allow David Douglas Schools to open a new elementary school on property that it already owns. This new school would help lower elementary class sizes district-wide. Passing measure 26-85 would also help add classrooms to Floyd Light Middle School, which would ease overcrowding at all three middle schools in the district.
Voters have the opportunity to protect their investment in schools by passing Measure 26-85. When passed, 26-85 would also allow the school district to replace roofs and update ventilation systems at many district facilities. Maintaining the infrastructure in a community is vital to its long-term livability. Many residents of the district are, themselves, products of David Douglas Schools. It stands to reason that the future of David Douglas Schools lies in its ability to continue its tradition of excellence and fiscal responsibility.
In October you will be getting your ballot. Please make sure to support the kids, the community and the future of David Douglas Schools by voting YES on Measure 26-85
David Douglas Citizens for Schools
• Tom Erickson, Co-Chair
• Eric Nelsen, Co-Chair
(This information furnished byThomas L. Erickson,
David Douglas Citizens for 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. |