Community Bond Planning Committee Holds Last meeting
On April 24, 2024, our Community Bond Planning Committee met for the last time. This committee was formed at the beginning of the school year, and is comprised of parents, students, staff members, district administrators, and board members.
The purpose of this committee was to provide input and feedback to our district's bond steering committee in developing and refining a bond package for the November 2024 election. Specifically, they:
reviewed information related to our district's educational vision, enrollment trends, and facility needs
have reviewed public polling data related to different bond package scenarios
participated in local school tours and in developing and refining a bond package recommendation that meets our district's aspirations and long-term educational goals
actively participated in the committee meetings and have served as advocates for the process within their communities
This bond recommendation, would be the third phase in our long range facilities plan and will support the fifth priority in our new strategic plan of developing safe and engaging learning environments. The first phase began in the year 2000. That bond rebuilt Oregon City High School and provided our high school students with a facility that better met their needs. The second phase was the 2018 bond that rebuilt Gardiner Middle School, completely renovated the interior of Tumwata Middle School, expanded our CTE learning spaces, and added security features to all of our buildings. Now we are beginning our third phase that will focus primarily on updating our elementary schools with crucial facility needs and repairs.
Now our district's bond steering committee will take all the advice and considerations from the community bond planning committee and develop a bond package to present to the school board. We will be offering opportunities to share your input and feedback on the package here in the next month or so before we present it to the school board. We value and welcome your input and your perspectives. Please look for more information on those opportunities in the next month. Our community has time and again shown their support for our students and our district, and we couldn't be more grateful. Here's how the last two bonds have supported our students and our district.
2000 Bond: High School Focus
$67.5 million dollar bond passed on 3rd attempt with a 55% approval rate
Created a single unified Oregon City High School campus serving grades 9-12 by renovating / expanding the former 9th grade campus on Beavercreek Road, allowing 10-12 grade students to be moved from the Jackson Campus to the new OCHS. It also renovated the existing Athletic Stadium.
Increased elementary school capacity by adding classrooms at Beavercreek, Gaffney Lane, Holcomb, John McLoughlin and Park Place
All schools received seismic and electrical system upgrades, including Jackson Campus B and C Buildings, Eastham School and King Campus.
Accessibility and technology improvements were implemented throughout our district.
2018 Bond: Middle School Focus + CTE
$158 million dollar bond passed on the second attempt with an approval rate of 62%. An additional $8 million dollars were awarded in matching grants provided by Oregon state.
Reduced overcrowding (2019 enrollment) at middle schools:
Replaced Gardiner Middle School (2019-2021)
Major renovation of Tumwata (Ogden) Middle School (2019-2021)
Safety and Security Improvements Districtwide
Added interior locking mechanisms to all interior doors (2019)
Implemented new emergency two-way radio system (2019)
New secure entries and perimeter improvements at all schools (2020-2023)
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
New Makerspace suite at Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences (CAIS/ Jackson) (2019)
New prototype elementary makerspace labs at Gaffney Lane and Redland (2020)
OCHS Improvements to Culinary Lab and College / Career center, new Health Sciences Lab (2021)
New middle school design CTE suites at Gardiner and Tumwata (2021)
