After almost a year of studying facility needs in the Scappoose School District, the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee developed a $33.3 million bond proposal to improve energy efficiency in the District’s schools, address priority school maintenance projects and add classrooms to facilitate student learning.

The bond will be on the Nov. 4, 2008 General Election Ballot. The proposal would:

• Reduce operating costs and increase energy efficiency by renovating and upgrading existing school district facilities including roofing; heating/ventilation, electrical, plumbing systems; asbestos removal; safety and security; other site upgrades.
• Construct, furnish and equip a new elementary school on district-owned land located adjacent to Grant Watts Elementary School. The new school would replace Otto H.H. Petersen Elementary School.
• Construct, furnish and equip additional classrooms at Grant Watts/Warren Schools, and renovate entrance at Warren Elementary School;
• Add classrooms and an auditorium at Scappoose High School.
• Establish a citizens’ oversight committee to ensure bond funds are used as intended.

The estimated tax rate for a $33.3 million bond would be approximately $1.71 per one thousand
dollars of assessed property value per year, or approximately $171 in additional taxes for each $100,000 of assessed property value. The rate could vary depending on interest rates, growth in the District’s
total assessed value from new homes and businesses, and other factors. For example, as the district’s assessed value increases, the tax rate would go down.

For more detail about the bond, see the Fact Sheet.