JCSD Bond

Long Range Facilities Assessment Document

Facilities Assessment Report

Bond Title & Resolution

Dear Junction City Community,

In May of 2024, voters chose not to approve the district's proposed general obligation bond. While we were disappointed by the outcome, it provided us with an opportunity to re-engage with our community, reassess the district's most critical facilities needs, and develop a more focused and cost-effective proposal.

After conducting another review of the Long Range Facilities Assessment, surveying the community and with input from a Facilities Advisory Committee made up of dedicated local residents, we returned to the drawing board. Together, we crafted a revised proposal that addresses our district's most pressing issues at a reduced cost. The School Board approved this at the February 24, 2025 board meeting for placement on the May 2025 ballot.

Here are the numbers: $40 Million Bond Funding, 20-year Term

$6 Million in Matching Funds from State OSCIM Grant

$46 Million Total Funds for Projects

Current Bond Rate is $1.36 per $1000 of Assessed Property Value

Current Bond will be paid off in June 2026

Proposed Bond would increase rate by $0.44 per $1000 of Assessed Property Value

New Bond Rate would be $1.80 per $1000 of Assessed Property Value

Below is an overview of the proposed May 2025 Bond:

Local Control to Maximize Community Investment: A citizen oversight committee will monitor all bond project spending, ensuring transparency and accountability. We will also secure an additional $6 million through the OSCIM grant and focus on energy-saving initiatives that provide both immediate financial relief and long-term utility savings.
Safety & Security Upgrades: We will remove hazardous materials, such as asbestos, and install modern safety systems, including updated fire alarms, security cameras, advanced locking systems, and secure entryways at all schools. These upgrades will provide a safer environment for our students and staff.
Critical Facilities Upgrades: The bond will fund essential repairs, including fixing leaky roofs, replacing outdated pipes, upgrading HVAC and electrical systems, and addressing overcrowding. These improvements ensure that classrooms are warm, safe, dry, accessible, and conducive to modern learning.

If these needs remain unaddressed, the costs for repairs will only increase over time. This will force the district to continue reallocating funds from the classroom to cover growing maintenance expenses—an unsustainable approach that impacts the quality of education we can provide.

We look forward to continuing this conversation with you and sharing how this proposal will meet the critical needs of our schools and community.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Junction City students and schools.

Troy Stoops

Superintendent

General Obligation Bond Questions

What is a school bond?

A bond issue is used by a public school district to finance school facility projects or other capital projects. Measures are placed on the ballot along with information about the specific projects that would be completed by the district if approved by the voting public.

Why do school districts ask voters to approve bonds for facility improvements?

Before 2016, Oregon provided no state funding for school construction or major repairs, so districts relied on local property taxes and voter-approved General Obligation (GO) bonds. While the State School Fund helps cover daily operations and basic maintenance, it doesn't provide enough for large-scale renovations or new construction. Federal support is also very limited, leaving local bonds as the main way to fund needed facility improvements.

The Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching (OSCIM) Program began in 2016. Prior to its inception, Oregon did not provide state funding support for school infrastructure projects; districts relied on property tax revenues and General Obligation bonds to finance such improvements.

What can the bond funds be used to pay for?

By law, General Obligation Bond funds can only be used for the capital projects outlined in the ballot explanatory statement. These funds cannot be used for items such as PERS, salaries, or other employee expenses, nor can they be used for routine maintenance or supplies.

Who can vote on a school bond?

To vote on a school bond, residents must live within the Junction City School District and be registered to vote. In order to be registered to vote, you must be a US citizen and 18 years old.
Oregonians can register to vote after their 16th birthday, but you will not receive a ballot or be eligible to vote until an election occurs on or after your 18th birthday.
To register to vote, go to https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/vr/register.do?lang=eng&source=sos

When can a school district put a bond on the ballot?

There are four scheduled election dates each year in Oregon: March (2nd Tuesday), May (3rd Tuesday), August (4th Tuesday), and November (1st Tuesday following a Monday).

For more information about elections, go to https://www.lanecounty.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=4081147.

Projects

Have the District Schools Been Tested for Asbestos?

All Schools are tested annually for asbestos.
Here are the Annual Asbestos Reports for each School:

When will the bond work projects start? How long will it take to complete the scope of work?

Following the bond being approved by voters, the district will start the process of hiring a contractor to work with the district’s architect to start the design and planning phase. The district will work with the contractors and architects to create a project timeline projecting when projects will start and be completed.

Why don't school districts provide specific plans and detailed budgets for the projects before a measure passes?

School districts often face inquiries regarding the absence of detailed project plans and budgets, including pre-design, schematic design, design development, and associated cost estimations, during bond measures. There are several reasons for not providing the level of detail that some stakeholders want prior to a bond passing. These include:

Financial Prudence: Engaging in comprehensive design phases before securing funding can be financially imprudent. Detailed architectural and engineering designs require significant upfront investment. Without assured funding from a bond measure, these expenditures could strain district resources, especially if the bond does not pass.

Scope Definition: Early in the planning process, specific needs and priorities may not be fully defined. Investing in detailed designs prematurely might result in plans that do not align with the final approved projects, leading to wasted resources and potential redesign costs.

Cost Estimation Practices: At initial stages, cost estimations are typically based on historical data and generalized metrics, such as cost per square foot, due to the lack of detailed project information. These preliminary estimates provide a ballpark figure but lack the precision that comes with more developed designs.

Community Engagement: Developing detailed designs without prior community input can lead to plans that do not reflect the community's desires or needs. By securing funding first, districts can ensure that subsequent designs are developed collaboratively with stakeholders, resulting in facilities that better serve students, staff and the community.

Flexibility: Securing bond funding before finalizing designs allows districts to remain adaptable to changing educational requirements, technological advancements, or unforeseen challenges. This flexibility ensures that the projects can evolve to meet current and future needs effectively.

In summary, while residents may desire detailed project plans and budgets during bond measures, the prudent approach for school districts is to secure funding first. This strategy ensures financial responsibility, aligns projects with community needs, and allows for flexibility in planning and execution.

Total Planning Scope per building: Laurel Elementary $17.29M, Territorial Elementary $9.9M, Oaklea Middle School $10.23M, Junction City High School $8.53M.

What will happen to the students while work is being done in their school?

The district will prioritize scheduling projects during summer break. If projects are scheduled while school is in session, plans will be made to ensure there are limited disruptions and safety plans will be created to protect students.

What projects are planned for Territorial School?

Classroom addition with restrooms
Renovate to create new front office entry
Replace exterior windows, door hardware and minor roof repairs
Interior refresh of paint, finishes, and cabinets
Renovate restrooms for accessibility, replace fixtures and finishes
Replace heat pumps, air handlers and upgrade controls
Add access controls at exterior doors and upgrade communications
Soundproofing added at the music classroom
Playground, site, and parking improvements

What projects are planned for Laurel Elementary School?

Add new gym and additional parking
Add covered play area
Renovation for secure entry
Exterior wall repair and window replacement
Interior refresh of flooring, ceiling and paint
Renovate restrooms for accessibility, replace fixtures and finishes
Mechanical system improvements
Replace power distribution to site
Add access controls at exterior doors and upgrade communications
Relocate kitchen and cafeteria to old gym
Two additional classrooms

What projects are planned for Oaklea Middle School?

Add covered play structure
Replace exterior windows and targeted door hardware
Interior refresh of paint, finishes, and cabinets
Restroom stall replacement
Replace plumbing fixtures, galvanized piper, boiler and hydronic piping
Upgrade communications
Renovations to student locker area and media center

What projects are planned for Junction City High School?

Repair roof, exterior wall, replace windows and door hardware
Replace flooring, ceiling tiles, door hardware, and paint
Upgrade Career & Technical Education classroom equipment Upgrade and replace kitchen equipment
Restroom stalls and plumbing fixture replacement
Mechanical system improvements
Replace power distribution, extend fire alarm and access control, upgrade communications
Renovate Auditorium restrooms

Why not build a new elementary?

The District considered this option. A new elementary school would have a projected cost greater than the $40 million being considered to address needs at all district schools. The District would be unable to address repairs, safety and security and other projects at Territorial, Oaklea and Junction City High School without raising the bond levy amount in this measure. In 2013, the District put a bond on the ballot that included replacing Laurel Elementary, but the measure didn’t pass.

How Schools Affect the Local Community

How could improving our schools help the community?

Communities with good schools can impact home values, encourage people to stay and invest in the local area, and can supply the local economy with better skilled workers. Additionally, good schools can improve community pride, connections, and a sense of belonging.

How would investing in schools impact me, even if I don't have kids in school?

A community with good schools can positively affect home values, area pride, business attractiveness and help shape the future workforce. Students can go on to be skilled workers and engaged citizens that contribute to the local economy and community in various ways. School facilities provide community organizations gathering spaces for sporting activities and various events.

Why does it cost more to build or renovate a school than a residential or small commercial building?

Building a school typically costs more than constructing a residential or small commercial building for a variety of reasons including:

specialized design and functionality,
the size and scale of the building,
higher occupancy load,
regulatory compliance,
educational standards,
specialized accommodations, and
safety requirements.

Schools require specialized design features to meet educational needs. This includes:

classrooms,
science labs,
libraries,
gymnasiums,
and administrative offices.

Each of these spaces must be carefully designed to support effective teaching and learning.

Schools are generally larger in terms of both square footage and overall scale compared to residential buildings. Schools have higher occupancy loads compared to residential buildings. This requires more extensive infrastructure, including fire safety systems, plumbing, electrical systems, and ventilation, to ensure the safety and well-being of a large number of people.

There are specific educational standards and regulations set by state and national educational authorities that school districts must comply with that can increase construction costs. This includes requirements for classroom size, accessibility, technology infrastructure, and safety features. School buildings must comply with local zoning codes, building permits, and adherence to educational facility standards.

In addition, schools often have specialized amenities like sports facilities, auditoriums, music rooms, and computer and science laboratories. These facilities require additional construction and maintenance costs. Schools may need extensive site preparation, including grading, utilities, parking lots, and outdoor play areas. This can be more complex and costly compared to the site requirements for a residential building. Schools must be designed to accommodate a diverse range of students, including those with disabilities. This may require additional features such as ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms.

Schools also require specific security measures to ensure the safety of students and staff. This can include controlled access points, security systems, and emergency response protocols, which can add to construction costs.

Additionally, the Junction City School District must pay prevailing wage on all school construction projects, which is the amount that must be paid to construction workers on all public works projects in Oregon. Prevailing wage rate laws ensure local participation and community established pay standards on publicly funded projects. These rates include fringe benefit wages to encourage employers to purchase health insurance and other benefits for their workers.

Facilities Grants

What is the $6 Million OSCIM Grant?

The Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching (OSCIM) Program provides matching grants to districts that pass a local general obligation bond. If the community decides to invest in their local schools, the state will provide the District with a $6,000,000 matching grant. If approved, the bonds and matching grant will provide the district with additional funds for facility improvements.

What is a TAP Grant?

The Technical Assistance Program (TAP) helps districts plan for capital improvements and expansion so they can better inform their communities about deferred maintenance needs, future enrollment, and explore sources of funding for school facilities. TAP provides four types of grants to school districts to cover or offset the costs of conducting:

Facilities Condition Assessments;
Long-Range Facility Planning;
Seismic Assessments, and;
Environmental Hazard Assessments.

The Facilities Assessment and Long-Range Facility Plan are required as part of the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching (OSCIM) Program grant application. The Seismic Assessment is a required component of the application to Business Oregon’s Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program, through which school districts can apply for funding to retrofit buildings. From 2019 - 2021, the Radon Environmental Hazard Assessment Grant helped nearly half of all districts in Oregon pay for radon testing to comply with Oregon Health Authority’s ORS 332.341 and 332.345. Starting in 2022, the Asbestos Environmental Hazard Assessment Grant will help districts meet the federally mandated requirements of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) by covering the costs of asbestos inspections, periodic surveillance, AHERA-related training for staff, and upgrading to a web-based record-keeping system.

Please refer to the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) under Chapter 581, Division 27, for definitions, grant program procedures, and reporting requirements for the grants listed above.

How were the seismic upgrades funded at Laurel Elementary School?

The District received a $2.5 million grant for needed seismic upgrades at school from the Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program (SRGP). This is a state of Oregon competitive grant program that provides funding for the seismic rehabilitation of critical public buildings, particularly public schools and emergency services facilities. This project begins in spring 2025.

Finances

Where can I get information about how Junction City Schools are funded?

Information about the District’s finances can be found on the district website business office link.

Access the latest adopted budget by visiting this page.

Is this school bond a good investment?

Each taxpayer will have to make their own decision about whether they feel investing in their school facilities is a good investment. Each year the district invites the community to budget meetings to review and understand exactly how the district manages resources and operations.

What is the current bond rate for the Junction City School District?

The current bond rate for Junction City School District is $1.41/$1,000 assessed value.

What is the estimated tax rate impact if voters approve the 2025 bond measure?

Estimated District Bond Rates if measure passes: $1.80/$1,000 of assessed value.

What does ‘Assessed value” vs. ‘Real Market Value’ mean in regards to my home?

The assessed value of a home is generally used for tax purposes including calculating the bond rate. Oregon began using assessed value for tax purposes through the passage of Measure 50 in 1997. Though homeowners usually want their property values to grow over time, in this case, it’s better when the home’s value is lower. That’s because the higher the assessed value, the higher the property taxes.

Market value is used by lenders, buyers and sellers to estimate the appropriate selling price given current market conditions. It’s essentially the value that assessors attempt to come up with before applying the assessment rate. An easy way to think about market value is this: What would a prospective buyer be willing to spend on a particular home and/or what would the seller be willing to accept if it were sold today?

Form more information about assessed value vs real market value, go to this informational video from the OACTC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ_BkTQZmCg&t=78s

For more information about how to understand your tax bill, go to the Lane County Assessor’s website at https://www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/assessment___taxation.

How do I find the assessed value of my property?

To find out the assessed value of your property or to find more information about your property taxes, go to https://www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/assessment___taxation.

If approved by voters, could the new bond rate change?

The property tax rate to pay off the bonds is currently calculated using estimates of assessed value and estimates of actual interest rates when the bonds are sold. The Lane County Assessor will calculate the actual property tax rate needed to make the first year's payment on the bonds if the bond measure passes on May 20, 2025. The first year and every subsequent year after that the Assessor will make that actual rate calculation based on the actual assessed property values of the Junction City School District and the bond payments that are due in that particular year. If the current estimates for assessed value and bond payments vary each year from the actual numbers, then the rate could stay the same, decrease or increase.

What happens if the bond gets paid off early?

Once the debt is paid off, the taxpayers are no longer taxed. The school district can only collect the amount they asked for in the bond measure.

Community Oversight

Who will have oversight of bond spending?

The School Board will appoint a long-term citizens bond oversight committee to review bond expenditures and ensure that bond projects are implemented as voters intended.

What is the citizens bond oversight committee?

The Junction City School District will appoint a citizens bond oversight committee made up of community members, parents, and district staff to actively monitor the progress of the bond program, ensure bond revenues are used only for purposes consistent with the voter-approved bond measure and consistent with state law. The bond oversight committee will report to the school board.

Previous Bonds

What is different in the 2025 bond measure from the 2024 bond measure?

The 2025 Junction City School District bond measure differs from the 2024 measure in several key aspects:

Reduced Funding Request: The 2024 bond proposed $59 million, whereas the 2025 bond requests $40 million, reflecting a $19 million decrease.
Project Scope Adjustment: In response to community feedback and the 2024 bond's lack of voter support, the district reviewed the facilities assessment to reprioritize needs. This process was completed through the Facilities Committee made up of community members and led to a reduction in the number of projects included in the 2025 bond measure.

These adjustments aim to align the bond measure more closely with community expectations and financial considerations.

What projects were completed as part of the 2016 Bond and what additional funding was used to support additional projects completed during that period?

Between 2016 and 2019, the Junction City School District undertook significant facilities improvements funded through various sources, totaling over $24 million. The primary funding sources and completed projects are as follows:

Funding Sources:

$14.6 Million General Obligation Bond: Passed in May 2016 at a rate of $1.61 per thousand dollars of assessed home value.
$2.9 Million in Bond Premiums: Secured when the bonds were sold in August 2016, providing additional capital beyond the initial bond amount.
$4 Million Capital Matching Grant: Awarded by the State of Oregon, supplementing the district's funding for capital projects.
$1.5 Million Seismic Safety Grant: Also awarded by the State of Oregon, focusing on enhancing the seismic safety of district facilities.
$1.8 Million Federal ESCO Loan and State Energy Efficiency Grants: Utilized for energy-efficient upgrades across the district.
$336,000 State CTE Grant: Combined with Measure 98 funds to create a $590,000 Culinary Arts program classroom.
$100,000 National Foundation Grant (2017): Oaklea Middle School received this grant to create a Fitness Center, one of only three schools in Oregon to do so.
$246,000 for High School Track Replacement (2018): Funded through grants, donations, and the district's Athletics Facilities fund, this project included contributions from major donors.

Completed Facilities Improvements (2016-2019):

Safety Enhancements:

Junction City High School (JCHS):
- Construction of a new addition with a secure single point of entry, eliminating the need for students to travel between separate wings and outbuildings.
- Installation of a fire suppression sprinkler system throughout the West Wing and the new addition.
- Development of a new parking lot, student drop-off and pick-up zones, and bus access separation to reduce pedestrian/vehicle conflicts.
- Addition of new sidewalks on West 6th Avenue in front of JCHS to promote safe routes to school.
- Implementation of a new voice evacuation system.

District-Wide:
- Installation of secure, electronic-access controlled entry vestibules at Laurel and Oaklea.
- Replacement of plumbing fixtures with detectable levels of lead across the district.
- Installation of perimeter fencing and electronic-access controlled gates at Territorial Elementary School.
- Seismic safety upgrades at Oaklea Middle School.
- Expansion of surveillance camera systems at all four schools.
- Replacement of phone systems district-wide.
- Improvement of outdoor lighting throughout the district.
- Enhancement of asphalt driveways, student drop-off areas, and staff and visitor parking at Territorial Elementary.

Learning Environment Enhancements:

JCHS:
- Construction of a new media center.
- Addition of new classrooms for math, foreign language, and special education programs.
- Development of four new science classrooms and labs with shared preparation, storage, and office space.
- Creation of a digital arts "green room" for video production.
- Establishment of a new "commons" area connected to the cafeteria, increasing capacity and offering outdoor gathering spaces.
- Construction of an outdoor amphitheater for student performances, presentations, and speeches.
- Addition of multiple new computer labs for publications, business, CAD programming, and more.
- Creation of two new collaboration spaces in the new addition and a large, remodeled collaboration area in the old media center.
- Construction of a "coffee shop"/student store for student enterprise activities and work experiences.
- Complete remodel of the old "Home Economics" classroom into a Culinary Arts space for student catering businesses and culinary classes.
- Development of a new administration center bringing together various staff and services.
- Remodeling of space for counselors, College and Career Center, registrar, and attendance office staff.
- Implementation of Title IX/accessibility/security improvements to locker rooms.

Other Schools:
- Improved lighting throughout the district and new HVAC temperature controls at Laurel, Oaklea, and district offices.
- Updated technology wiring and new instructional systems such as short-throw projectors, amplification systems, and ceiling-mounted projectors.
- Construction of a new, large covered outdoor play area for Territorial Elementary School.