BACKGROUND OF BOND INITIATIVE
Confronted with overcrowding in the elementary and high schools, Banks School District undertook a comprehensive assessment of the status of all district facilities. This was an intensive, two-year study of the needs of the district now and into the future as well as the capacity and condition of all of the buildings.
Through a series of professional building studies, independent growth studies and an assessment of continuously increasing academic requirements it was determined that the district facilities are not adequate. Built in the 30s, 40s and 50s, district facilities do not meet basic health and safety requirements and are not only inadequate to meet current academic requirements but are falling further and further behind as academic requirements increase and the community grows.
Based on the reports and recommendations, the Banks School Board unanimously voted to place a bond on the November 2008 ballot.
Banks School Bond Measure # 34-157 allows the district to address all of these issues and provide safe, effective facilities that will serve our kids and the community now and into the future.
Campus
land (existing land, potential land, wetlands)
traffic flow, parking and lighting
athletic fields
Facility Conditions
architectural (layout)
structural (gravity, wind, and earthquake loading)
electrical (wiring, communication, lighting, control, instrumentation, automation)
mechanical (plumbing and heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC))
safety
Population Growth
Cost Information for Improvements
remodel existing
construct new
These reports and recommendations make it clear that our community needs to immediately address the following:
Student Safety and Health - The junior high and high schools do not meet current code safety standards. Fire detection and suppression systems are not adequate. In 2007, the Banks School District had to pay an employee to perform a door-to-door "fire watch." A classroom near the high school boiler has been permanently vacated due to unhealthy fumes. A portion of the junior high is at risk of collapse under a moderate-strong earthquake due to its unreinforced glass block design and failing mortar. Mold is appearing at various places throughout the high school and asbestos is present in our heating systems.
Academic Requirements - Currently, classes in the junior high and high school are meeting in spaces that were never intended to be classrooms and not all teachers have a dedicated classroom. In addition, the high school does not have the facilities to provide for increased science requirements and the junior high has no science labs at all. Studies show that there is a direct correlation between school facility conditions and student academic achievement. This year alone the District had to hire 13 new teachers.
Community Growth - A population study by Portland State University’s Population Research Center forecasts that growth in our community could be 27% over the next ten years.
Maintenance Costs - Currently, failing heating and ventilating (HVAC) systems and deferred maintenance are costing our community hundreds of thousands dollars that are not benefiting our students or community.
Based on the reports and recommendations, the school board unanimously voted to place a bond on the November 2008 ballot.
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