By Stephen Floyd
The Mt. Angel School District has placed a $7 million facilities bond on the May 16 ballot, with a $4 million state grant attached if the bond passes.
The district board unanimously approved a resolution Feb. 13 to send the issue to voters based on a recommendation from the district’s Bond Oversight Committee.
If the measure passes, the district would receive a $4 million grant from the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching (OSCIM) Program, which was designed to encourage voter support for school district bonds.
This would bring capital improvement funds to $11 million, with targeted improvements at John F. Kennedy High School, Mt. Angel Middle School, and St. Mary’s Public School. Improvements include upgrades to plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems at all three buildings, new classroom doors to improve security, and roof repairs.
The middle school would also receive a new boiler and fencing. St. Mary’s would receive new siding, new library windows and other improvements.
If passed, the bond would levy an estimated $1.12 per $1,000 of assessed property value over 20 years, meaning a home valued at $350,000 would be taxed at $392 annually. Actual rates may differ based on assessed values and final interest rates.
The Bond Oversight Committee was appointed by the board to investigate the need for capital improvements within the district and return with a recommendation for a bond amount. They began meeting in December of 2022 and worked with consultants from BRIC Architecture, of Portland, in addition to gathering public input.
Committee members included local parents, community members and officials.
