Community Bond Advisory Committee

• RMV is what your property would likely sell for on the open market.
• AV is the taxable value of your property, which is usually much lower and can only increase by up to 3% per year under Oregon law.

At the most recent December Community Bond Advisory Committee (CBAC) meeting, members participated in a deep dive into how General Obligation (GO) Bonds work in Oregon, led by Piper Sandler Managing Director Lauren MacMillan. This foundational session helped the committee better understand the financial tools school districts rely on to maintain safe, functional, and modern learning environments.

Members explored topics such as:

• How are bonds issued and repaid over time?
• How tax rates are set and why they may change from year to year?
• What bond funds can and cannot be used for under state law?
• How voter approval shapes all major capital investments?

CBAC members learned that GO bonds can only fund major capital projects, such as roofs, HVAC systems, classroom additions, safety upgrades, seismic strengthening, and large-scale renovations. 

These dollars cannot be used for staffing, supplies, or daily operational costs.

This training ensures committee members have the financial background they need as they begin evaluating long-term facility needs and considering what future investments may best support students, staff, and the broader Scappoose community.

At Scappoose Middle School, the pinging and clanging of old radiators is a familiar sound as they heat up each morning. In some classrooms, the only thing louder might be the occasional passing trains outside!

During their recent tour, the Community Bond Advisory Committee (CBAC) experienced firsthand how aging heating systems impact daily learning environments. These moments highlight the importance of understanding building conditions, not just on paper, but in real life.

Current circulation patterns create congestion and delays as families navigate narrow driveways, limited parking, and overlapping bus and car traffic. Adjusting vehicle flow and parking configurations could improve safety, reduce wait times, and make the start and end of each school day smoother for everyone.

It’s a change that could make a big difference in how students, staff, and families move safely on and off campus.

The Community Bond Advisory Committee (CBAC) met again this week, beginning with a tour of Sauvie Island School, a public charter school whose facility is owned by Scappoose School District. This visit completed the committee’s full tour of every school facility in the District.

After touring all buildings, committee members worked in small groups to reflect on what they learned. During a full group reflection, several common facility needs emerged:

• Aging HVAC systems that affect the learning environment and indoor air quality
• Roof-related water intrusion
• Energy loss from original or outdated windows
• Safety and security upgrades needed to strengthen access control
• Seismic strengthening to better prepare facilities for a major earthquake
• Environmental hazards, such as asbestos and areas prone to mold
• Insufficient or lack of instructional space for programs like music, PE, the arts, and Career & Technical Education

These reflections will help the committee continue shaping a long-range recommendation for the School Board as Scappoose considers future investments in safe, healthy, and effective learning environments.

Stay tuned for more updates as the committee’s work continues!
 

Much of the roof has reached or exceeded its expected lifespan, and despite countless patches and repairs, leaks are becoming a regular challenge. Each fix helps buy a little more time but a full replacement would protect classrooms, equipment, and learning spaces for years to come.

When the Community Bond Advisory Committee (CBAC) visited Grant Watts Elementary, they saw how much the building has endured over the years, especially the roof.

It’s a reminder that even the most dependable structures need consistent care to keep students safe, dry, and ready to learn.

Thanks to funding from the High School Success Act (Measure 98) and Corporate Activity Tax (CAT), this innovative space at Scappoose Middle School gives students hands-on opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and math, building the 21st-century skills they’ll carry into the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Scappoose High School and beyond. 

It’s a great example of how creative use of space and targeted funding can open doors for future-ready learning.

At Warren Elementary, a former classroom now serves as both the music room and library, a testament to how Scappoose educators continue to make the most of limited space. Even in buildings designed for a different era, staff are finding innovative ways to ensure students still have access to enriching activities and opportunities to learn in every corner of the school.

Members of the Scappoose School District’s Bond Advisory Committee kicked off their school tours this week on October 21st, visiting Warren Elementary and Scappoose Middle School to see facility conditions firsthand. Next week, they’ll tour Grant Watts, Otto Petersen, and Scappoose High School before wrapping up at Sauvie Island School next month, ensuring every school’s needs are seen and understood.

As the Community Bond Advisory Committee studies options for the future, it’s also looking back at Scappoose’s history of school bonds and how each generation has invested in facilities:

• 2023 (Not Approved) – Proposed to replace Scappoose Middle School with a new building next to the High School, remodel High School CTE and science/arts classrooms, upgrade safety and security, and complete district-wide improvements (roofing, electrical, HVAC, lighting, flooring, plumbing, sidewalks, parking lots).
   
• 2008 (Approved) – Funded construction of Otto Petersen Elementary, added classrooms at Grant Watts/Warren Elementary, renovated Warren’s entry, built the Scappoose High School auditorium, Entrance* and Foyer and supported district-wide upgrades (roofing, HVAC, safety/security, etc.). *Pictured
   
• 1990s (Approved) – Added the annex gym at Scappoose Middle School and other improvements to serve a growing community.
   
• 1970s (Approved) – Built Scappoose High School, providing a long-term home for secondary students.
   

Each bond reflects a moment when our community came together to make decisions about safe, modern schools. The CBAC will use this history as context in considering a potential 2026 bond measure.

As part of the Oregon Department of Education’s Statewide School Facilities Assessment, every public school in the state is being carefully reviewed to understand current conditions. Each assessment looks at key areas, including:

• Building systems like roofs, windows, plumbing, and HVAC
• Electrical and mechanical systems to ensure safety and efficiency
• Safety and security features such as access control and fire systems
• Accessibility for students, staff, and community members
• Site conditions such as parking, traffic flow, and grounds

Once Scappoose has received all of its reports, the Community Bond Advisory Committee (CBAC) will review and discuss them in upcoming meetings.

In 2024, the Oregon Department of Education launched a Statewide School Facilities Assessment, a no-cost opportunity funded by the federal Supporting America’s School Infrastructure program.

Over the next five years, this effort will evaluate the condition of every public school building in the state. Once Scappoose has received all of its reports, the Community Bond Advisory Committee (CBAC) will review and discuss them in upcoming meetings.

Scappoose School District – Community Bond Advisory Committee Update

This fall, 41 residents applied to join the Community Bond Advisory Committee, and 24 were selected to represent Scappoose. The group has begun a 10-month process to explore a possible 2026 school bond and recommend a facilities plan that reflects our community’s needs and values.

Over the next several months, the committee will:

• Review facilities needs and feedback from staff and students
• Explore funding options, including Oregon’s OSCIM matching grant program
• Prioritize critical repairs, safety upgrades, and educational improvements
• Tour district buildings and hear directly from administrators
• Engage with community members and provide regular updates

Stay tuned! Each meeting will be followed by a short post to keep you informed as the committee builds knowledge and considers options. Coming soon: key takeaways from the first session.