Decision 2014: $14 million Sisters school bond
The Sisters School District is taking on leaky roofs, split sidewalks and unusable athletic tracks at their buildings.
And this November, they’re taking on an election to try and change that.
A bond measure on the Nov. 4 ballot was proposed by the Sisters School Board to address four areas plaguing the district: to improve school safety and security, maintain and preserve facilities, improve technology infrastructure and modernize educational delivery, and to upgrade Reed Stadium and other athletic facilities.
“We’re hoping that this revitalizes our facilities and makes us more attractive,” said Sisters School Superintendent Jim Golden. “So when people look to buy homes and move to Central Oregon or within Central Oregon, they’ll consider our district.”
The bond would cost taxpayers $14 million over the next 15 years. The estimated school bond tax rate is 64 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. For a home valued at $300,000 home, the tax would be $192 per year.
The amount is daunting to many: “$14 million scares the hell out of everybody,” says Sisters City Councilman David Asson.
Added frustration stems from the fact that part of the funding would go toward a new roof for Sisters High School. The building opened just 11 years ago, in 2003, and the roof is one of many parts of the school needing replacements at an early age.
But for Superintendent Golden, who joined the district in 2010, it’s a moot point when students are suffering in the present for past decisions.
“I wish we had put a different roof on Sisters High School, but this is the roof that we have,” he said. “Letting it leak isn’t going to change things.”
With that argument in mind, city leaders are begrudgingly backing the budget. But they’re not convinced that Sisters residents will do the same.
“People are very questioning about everything in town,” said Asson. “We’ve got a populous that’s very nervous about leadership.”
None of the funding in the bond will go towards teacher or administrator salary. If the bond passes, renovations would be completed for the 2015-2016 school year.
