Maupin schools go for $4-million bond in November
By Tom Peterson
South Wasco County School District #1 is asking taxpayers to pass a $4-milliion school bond in the Nov. 3 general election to do major renovations to the schools and district buildings in Maupin.
The school board voted to put the bond on the ballot in late spring when it was announced the school had qualified for a $4-million matching grant from the Oregon School Fund.
The Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching grant was distributed based on the U.S. Census school population numbers and poverty statistics.
South Wasco Superintendent Ryan Wraught said the district did not initially receive the grant after requesting it, but the list of qualifying districts was updated and South Wasco made the cut.
Essentially, taxpayers will get a 50 cent match on the dollar should they choose to approve the bond.
Several informational meetings about the bond were held and additional information on the proposed bond was placed on Facebook before it was submitted to the election office.
The Bond Request
Here is the information that was submitted to the Wasco County Clerk for the general election filing deadline on Tuesday:
QUESTION: Shall South Wasco County School District No. 1 issue $4,000,000 general obligation bonds for school capital costs, receive $4,000,000 grant? 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: District has been awarded a $4,000,000 State grant which will be available only if the bonds are approved. If the bonds are not approved, the grant will go to another district.If approved, this measure would finance capital costs within District, including:
Remodel and improve elementary school facilities for grades K-8, including teacher work room, counseling suite, special education room, restrooms, library, band room, computer lab, existing gymnasium
Constructing, equipping and furnishing K-8 new gymnasium, locker rooms, cafeteria, kitchen, secure entry, offices, pathways
Remodel and improve high school facilities, restrooms, classrooms, offices, front entry, cafeteria, kitchen, courtyard, parking, new gymnasium entry with lobby, concessions and seating
Safety, security, technology and accessibility improvements
Paying bond issuance costs
Bonds would mature in 21 years or less from the date of issuance and may be issued in one or more series. If approved, the bond tax rate is estimated to be $0.68 per $1,000.00 of assessed value. Actual rates may vary based upon interest rates incurred and changes in assessed value.
Additional information
Years when schools and buildings were built in the district:
High School: 1956
Middle School: 1950s
Elementary School: 1975
District building: 1914
Wraught said the boiler in the high school was high on the list for replacement as it is likely original to the building.
Side Note:
Dufur School is just completing a capital improvement project on its school building and facilities after using the exact same funding strategy. It applied for and received the same Oregon school fund grant and coupled it with a $4-million bond that was approved by its district taxpayers in 2018.
