Lake Oswego School District Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Schiele announced gratitude to the Lake Oswego community for its approval of the Lake Oswego School District School Bond Measure 3-577. Voters passed the measure with an approval rating of 54 percent in unofficial election returns; election officials will confirm results at a later date.

“On behalf of educators, staff, and current and past school board members who serve in the Lake Oswego School District, I am honored to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Lake Oswego community for your steadfast support of our schools,” said Schiele. “We are grateful to our community for investing in our buildings because where students learn impacts how well they learn. This capital bond will fund significant improvements in building safe, welcoming and modern schools where educational excellence may flourish.”

The citizen campaign Building Great Lake Oswego Schools was led by Chair Courtney Clements and steering committee members Mark Birge, Miles Haladay, Sarah Howell and Heather Wick, along with all five School Board members. Additionally, representatives from schools, community organizations, and local businesses engaged in several campaign efforts.

“Lake Oswego citizens embraced the opportunity to continue investing in our buildings so children and educators can teach, safely learn, grow, and thrive in schools that reflect the best of our community,” said Clements. “From the onset, we appreciated widespread support and outstanding endorsements from many different citizen groups, from parents and grandparents to civic, school, sustainability, and business leaders. The measure passing reaffirms that our residents value education and recognize that great schools benefit our wonderful community.”

“We are so proud of our Lake Oswego community,” said Lake Oswego School Board Chair Kirsten Aird. “Our students and educators have adapted and innovated through these difficult and unprecedented times and the passing of the bond helps ensure our schools are given the resources necessary to continue leading the state and being amongst the top in the nation for excellence and achievement. An investment in our school buildings is an investment in our students. It is inspiring to see our community come together for our students today, and for generations to come.”  

The Lake Oswego School Board contemplated a three-phased capital improvement program to accomplish projects identified in the district's Long Range Facility Plan. Lake Oswego voters passed the first phase of the bond program in 2017. With those promised projects on track and on budget, LOSD referred to Lake Oswego voters the second phase of the planned bond program. The projects identified in Measure 3-577 will be accomplished in approximately five years, and the third phase of the bond program will be referred to voters in 2025. That third phase is planned as a renewal, not a tax increase. 

The passing of the second phase of the bond program provides funding for the following projects: 

• Fund the construction of two new school buildings: Lake Oswego Junior High and River Grove Elementary Schools
• Protect community investments in our schools by making priority repairs and replacing failing building systems throughout the district
• Enhance students’ Career Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) experiences by modernizing classrooms in our high schools, and adding gardens at several schools  
• Improve safety, security and accessibility of school campuses districtwide

The $180,000,000 bond is projected to cost an additional $0.92/$1,000 of assessed value annually. For the median home assessed value of $420,000, that is approximately $385 per year. Actual rates depend on market conditions when bonds are sold. Bonds would mature not more than 26 years from issuance and may be issued in series.

Additionally, with the passing of bond measure 3-577 LOSD will receive State matching funds of $4,000,000 from the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching grant.

###