Leaks, heating issues prompt Crook County School Board to put $11 million ‘Band-Aid bond’ on May 21 ballot

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) - The Crook County School Board voted unanimously Monday night to ask voters to support an $11 million maintenance bond measure on the May 21 ballot after significant water leaks and heating issues affected most school buildings during this month’s winter storm.

One of the worst leaks impacted the small gym at Crook County Middle School, which already has dozens of buckets lined up throughout the attic space to catch water when it rains or snows. 

The decision to pursue a bond measure right away occurred at the Jan. 22 school board work session, when district Facilities Director Leland Bliss gave an update on the status of school buildings. During a special meeting on Monday night, board members agreed that fixing these issues now is imperative, before leaks get worse or heating systems fail in cold weather. 

"Right now, when it rains or snow melts, we have water literally pouring into classrooms and gyms. That is not an OK way to educate children,” explained school board member Scott Cooper. “Oregon's school funding system relies on property taxes to pay for instruction and bonds to pay for maintenance. This community has always rallied behind kids. I hope voters will choose to do so again." 

Improving safety and security is another top priority of the school board, so they agreed to add those costs to the proposed bond measure. The goal is to ensure all schools have secure entryways and updated security systems that are consistent across the district. 

If the measure passes, the school district will only issue $11 million in tax-exempt bonds. However, it will generate a total of $17 million, thanks to a $6 million matching grant through the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching Program (OSCIM).

Those funds are only guaranteed if the school bond measure successfully passes the May ballot. If the school board waited until November or the spring of 2025, bond measures by other school districts in Oregon could significantly reduce the portion available to Crook County School District. 

The current rate assessed to taxpayers to support local schools is 62 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The $11 million of new bonds would cost taxpayers an additional 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to make the necessary repairs and upgrades to aging schools. 

The school board adopted a resolution that authorizes staff to file forms with the Crook County Clerk’s Office so the measure can officially be placed on the May 21st primary ballot. If voters agree to the bond measure, work could begin as early as July, when bonds are sold. 

"I would call this a 'Band-Aid Bond.' It's a bond to stop the bleeding," Cooper said. "It's only $11 million, which works out to a dime per thousand of assessed value, which means a homeowner with a $500,000 house pays $50 per year. That fifty leverages another $25 from the State of Oregon, and the combined contributions buy roofs, some HVAC systems, and additional safety upgrades.”

Bond Measure Cost Breakdown

• $11.5 million - Replace roofs at Crooked River Elementary, Crook County Middle School, Steins Pillar Elementary campus and gym, the district’s maintenance building, and Paulina K-8 School. 
• $5 million - Upgrade  the 75-year-old boiler system at Crook County Middle School
• $200k - Improve security at Crook County High School
• $100k - Security and PA System upgrades at Steins Pillar Elementary School
• $100k - Additional security upgrades in other schools