VOTE411 Voter Guide

The following nonpartisan report was prepared by the League of Women Voters of Lane County.Measure 20-354 Bonds to Build, Renovate and Improve Schools (Fern Ridge School District 28J)Official title: Bonds to Build, Renovate, and Improve SchoolsFinancial impact: If passed, the Fern Ridge School District will issue up to $16,115,000 in bonds and receive a $6,000,000 grant. The funds 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. The current property tax rate of $2.20 per $1000 of assessed home value will not increase because this measure continues the bond originally passed in 1997 and renewed in 2014.Note: Assessed value (AV) is the value used to calculate property tax. It is shown on the property tax statement. It is NOT the same as real market value (RMV), which is the market price of the home.Probable Results of a “Yes” vote: If the measure passes, Fern Ridge School District #28J will be able to make physical improvements to modernize classrooms, improve heating and cooling systems and build a new track, turf field and grandstand. The measure also includes upgrades to technology.Probable Results of a “No” vote: If the measure fails, deferring critical capital repairs would lead to greater expense in the future for these items. The district will make modest facility investments within current budget constraints. However, essential improvements, such as the 440 track replacement and addressing unsafe grandstand issues, will be postponed.Background: This bond continues the bond originally passed by voters in 1997 and renewed in 2014. Passing the Fern Ridge School District Bond will not increase property tax rates on residents and will allow the district to continue making responsible investments in school infrastructure. If the bond passes in May, the State of Oregon has committed to providing $6 million in matching funds. Community input identified key improvements to schools, which included modernizing classrooms, including technology, replacing mechanical systems district-wide, constructing new grandstands, replacing the track and installing a new turf football field.Proposal: The current fixed rate taxes that the community pays go to the state who then re-distributes funds to districts based on enrollment. These are used for staffing, curriculum materials, and operational costs. Capital construction is beyond the scope and capacity of a maintenance and operations budget. In 2021, the district supported an unsuccessful athletics-focused bond. The current plan involves a broader community base, addressing not only athletics but also educational, mechanical, and safety needs to better serve all students.