Voters say yes to school improvements

Oregon school districts experienced a green wave Tuesday, as nearly every bond and levy on the ballot appeared to be passing by wide margins.

Eight of nine ballot measures looked like they would win according to tallies Wednesday morning from the Oregon secretary of state's office. No race was closer than 11 percentage points.

Oregon school districts receive most of their operating budgets through a state formula that allocates funding based on enrollment and student demographics, with extra money for students who might need more services.

Districts can add to their funds if voters approve a local property tax addition. Bonds must be used on things that have a useful life longer than one year, usually facilities. Bonds generally are used for new buildings or major projects, such as new roofs or heating system repairs, that would break districts' yearly budgets. Safety and security improvements are a feature of most recent bond campaigns as well.

Levies can be used for anything but are generally used for staffing.

Twenty districts have local property tax levies, including the Corvallis School District, which won Tuesday with a whopping 79% approval. Voters chose to renew a local option levy that has been in place since 2006. The new levy is expected to raise about $62 million over five years, paying for about 10% of the district's operating budget.

The Hillsboro School District had the largest bond, seeking $430 million that came with a $6 million Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching Program grant. The OSCIM program provides state matching money up to $12 million for districts that pass bonds.

The bond passed handily, with about 62% in favor. Hillsboro, which last passed a bond in 2017, is replacing an older bond. Its campaign promised to modernize facilities, increase safety and expand programs with projects that will touch every school building.

On the other side of Portland, the Reynolds, Gladstone and North Clackamas school districts all passed bonds too.

Gladstone easily passed a scaled-down $55.3 million proposal after a larger bond was rejected in 2025. About 61% of voters said yes this time. The new bond with a $10.2 million OSCIM match will replace an expiring bond from 2006, and property owners' rates will go down.

North Clackamas' $245 million bond, with a $6.1 million OSCIM match, will include a variety of facilities work. Around 66% of voters were in favor.

Reynolds' campaign included plans to replace 72-year-old Glenfair Elementary School. Approximately 57% of voters approved its bond for $162.5 million with an $8.17 million OSCIM match.

The Silver Falls School District, west of Salem, also aims to replace a building. The $87 million bond with a $10.2 million OSCIM match will replace Silverton Middle school and build a new rural K-8 school. It won roughly 56% approval.

The Glide School District, west of Roseburg, passed a $16.5 million bond with a $6.1 million OSCIM match. Approximately 64% of voters were in favor. Glide is also replacing an existing bond that is expiring. Among its projects, it plans to build new spaces and classrooms for existing buildings.

The Grants Pass School District, between Roseburg and Ashland, had the smallest request: $10.9 million, with an $8.2 million OSCIM match. The district is planning renovations and repairs to both its high schools, both middle schools and all six elementary schools. About 60% of voters said yes.

Harney County was seeking a bond for $48.8 million, with a $10.2 million match. The bond would have replaced a 20-year bond that ended this year so the district could build a new K-8 school. Voters said no, with about 58% opposed.

- Jake Arnold, OSBA
[email protected]