Morrow County school bond group asks for public input
By Terry Murry on Friday, November 22nd, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
MORROW COUNTY – The Community Bond Advisory Committee for the Morrow County School District is asking for public input after nine months of studying the issue of putting a bond before the voters. CBAC is composed of 19 people from Boardman, Irrigon, Heppner, and Lexington.
The committee members, who are volunteering their time, are Zac Acock, Doris Brosnan, Luis Campos, Andrew Cemore, Dave Cooley, Pamela Cutsforth, Jose Duenas, Frances Glenn, Torrie Griggs, Bret Harrison, Jan Huddleston, Karla Jimenez, Angela Jones, Tia McNamee, Sue Oliver, Brandi Orem, Madison Rosenbalm, George Shirrer, and Gina Wilson.
Comprehensive reviews of all schools and district facilities were carried out by certified assessors from the Oregon Department of Education. The committee reviewed the assessments, toured buildings with school principals, reviewed bond financial options and set priorities for projects. The assessments indicate that several schools in the district need to be replaced while other schools need important remodels or upgrades, including safety and security improvements. Those assessments are posted on the Morrow County School District’s website.
Taxpayers in the district are not currently paying for either a district bond or levy. The last bond passed expired in 2021 and the last operating levy expired in 2016.
The feedback period for district-wide input is open through Dec. 30. Forms are available at the website https://www.morrow.k12.or.us/o/hhs/article/1888261. Printed forms are available at any school or district building. Forms can also be obtained by emailing bondinfo@morrowsd.org or by calling 541-676-5705.
The two options in the committee’s draft recommendations are:
Bond Option 1 totals $205.4 million and includes remodeling Riverside Jr/Sr High, remodeling Heppner Jr/Sr High into a K-12 facility, replacing Irrigon Jr/Sr High and safety and security improvements at other schools across the district.
Bond Option 2 totals $260.55 million and includes remodeling Riverside Jr/Sr High, remodeling Heppner Jr/Sr High into a K-12 facility, replacing Irrigon Jr/Sr High, traffic flow improvements at Sam Boardman Elementary, replacing A.C. Houghton Elementary, plus safety and security improvements at other schools across the district.
After the feedback period ends, the CBAC will review input and create a final bond recommendation in early January to be presented to the Morrow County School District Board of Directors.
