Bond Measure 20-220

Voters will get the opportunity to approve a bond measure for the Fern Ridge School District in the May 20th primary election. Measure 20-220 is not expected to increase the school bond tax rate as it just extends the current tax rate and replaces an expiring bond. FRSD will use the funds from the bond to make long range facility improvements throughout the school district as well as increase student safety and upgrade technology. There will be a bond oversight committee composed of district staff, parents, and community members to ensure that the funds are spent in line with the long range facility plan and district goals.

At Veneta, we are proposing that funds be used to make needed improvements to our building. We will add classroom space to accommodate projected growth and full day kindergarten. We will create a separate area for buses to drop-off and pick up students without getting in the way of parents and staff parking. Plans also include building a separate cafeteria and a new bigger kitchen. This will allow us to use the gym for P.E. instruction all day long instead of having to use it for lunch two hours out of each day. With the increased amount of P.E. instruction required by the state beginning in 2017, having those two additional hours each day for P.E. instruction will be critical.

Other plans include enclosing the library so it can be used for instruction without being disrupted by students traveling through the building, adding cameras to the exterior and interior, putting in wireless, and reconfiguring the office to improve security at the entrance to the building.

In addition to the improvements here at Veneta, the bond will support improvements across the district including building a new gym at the high school, replacing Elmira Elementary with a new building, seismic remediation at all facilities, technology upgrades across all buildings, enclosing the library at FRMS, and more.

Citizens 4 Fern Ridge Schools is the committee working to build support and help pass the bond. They meet every Tuesday at the LCC classroom at the high school. Anyone interested in learning more about Measure 20-220 can attend a meeting or click the following link: Facility Bond Measure