$140 million bond passes, allowing the district to move forward with significant upgrades

Updated Nov. 10, 2022

By Elise Said

Cub Reporter

David Douglas School District's $140 million bond, which was passed on Nov. 8,  with 56.96% of voters supporting the measure, would improve buildings across the school district.

The plans call for minor repairs and upgrades in all schools across the district with an emphasis on increased security.

The main issue that a 2020 district bond committee found with the high school was that the easy access to the campus itself provided a security issue, especially with the breezeway cutting right through the school. The committee also looked at each building on campus and identified what would be either changed or updated for each one.

In a 2021 DDSD-generated slide show, which shows renderings, statistics, and ideas, the district laid out what it plans to do with the high school, showing new and futuristic-looking buildings.

The biggest potential benefit from the bond would be the Future Careers Building at the high school that would be built on the South Campus. The main focus of the building would be Career and Technical Education or CTE classes. CTE classes are courses designed to help train students for relevant future careers.

“If the Bond passes, the process will include an approximately 18-24 months planning period, and then construction will begin afterward,"  said Principal Greg Carradine before the bond passed. "The timeline for new construction would probably run another 18-24 months.  At this point, these timelines are just an estimation.  It could be approximately four years for new construction, and other projects will begin much sooner.” 

There are many things to factor in when discussing construction and all that it involves when it comes to a high school. Many overlook the student impact such as commute times between campuses and how construction could cause a distraction during the school day. 

“This is dependent upon many factors, but most of the impact would be how we navigate that campus and a focus to keep the campus safe in the middle of an active construction site,” said Superintendent Ken Richardson.

The bond was originally for $152 million but with the impact of COVID-19 and rising costs, the school board decided to narrow it down to the current $140 million.

One of the many issues across the district is that educators and other staff are forced to work in less-than-ideal spaces that cannot properly fit classes, offices, and other student services. Almost all of the school buildings in the district have been built in the 50s and 60s with Alice Ott even being built in the 30s. Over time many are starting to show their age and are in need of repair or major upgrades, which the bond would provide if it passes. 

“I'm excited about this opportunity and urge students, families, and the DDSD community to vote on this Bond and amplify their voices,” said Carradine.

Other school bonds in Oregon passed in Bend-La Pine SD, Forest Grove SD, Umatilla County, and one for Portland Community College. The Parkrose Teachers Levy, Sheridan SD, and Rouge River SD bonds failed to catch voter approval.