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Lincoln County’s $63 million bond sale went really well…

Jun 282011

Newport High football field getting artificial turf
Click to enlarge

Lincoln County School District officials are saying that Lincoln County voters will get a break on their school district property tax bills thanks to a very good bond sale this week. The $63 million dollar offering was snatched up by national investors for a net interest rate of just 1.98% That’s the interest on the bonds property owners will pay for a huge upgrade to local schools and a new high school in Waldport which currently sits in a tsunami zone. It all means that although the recent bond election passed by the voters quoted a probable school district bond retirement rate of 72-cents, it will be 70-cents per thousand. It’s currently at 76-cents which will lowered to the new 70-cents rate as old bonds are retired very shortly.

School District Superintendent Tom Rinearson said several factors played a role. The first was a Moody’s bond rating report that called the school district well run and fiscally sound. Second, the district qualified for the tail end of the Obama stimulus package program so that the district gets the first $15 million interest free. And third, in an uncertain national and world economy, investors are going for “sure things” backed by property taxes rather than traditional investment strategies. Rinearson said all three factors means taxpayers will save $7 million over the life of the bonds.

School renovations and construction are already underway, including new football fields at Newport, Toledo and Waldport High (at its new location). Completion of all renovations and new construction is expected to take three construction seasons, or through 2013.

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Letter to the Editor: School Bond, May 17th

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May 092011

Dear Editor:

The Lincoln County School District has placed a $63 million construction bond measure on the May 17th ballot. After reviewing the proposed projects, I have to admit that there are some components that I do not agree are absolutely necessary… however, I do agree that our school buildings are in poor condition and need our support to fix and repair them.
As a graduate of Toledo High, I am most familiar with the schools in that area. There is no doubt that the students attending Toledo Elementary are housed in 11 portable classrooms that are old and deteriorating. These young students must walk in the wind and rain to the main building for lunch, P.E., to use the computer labs or the media center, and go to the office. These students need a real building that is safe and conducive for learning!

Toledo High school uses seven very old portables that I am very familiar with. I attended class in some of those portables over 25 years ago. Students there continue to move from class to class in our coastal weather without covered walkways as I did all those years ago. When they do have classes in the main building, they are often in a room that is very hot and then move to an adjacent room where the heat is not working. The locker rooms can only be described as dungeons and are in desperate need of remodeling. The middle school students are crammed into a single hallway. This system of educating students was tolerated all those years ago because we lost a school to fire but it is an inefficient way of educating our youth today!

I do not have children so am not directly involved with the Lincoln County schools and I do not agree with all the components of the proposed projects, but I will be voting YES for the Lincoln County School District construction bond. We need good solid buildings for our staff to provide a solid education for our youth of Lincoln County.

Marnie Branstiter, Toledo
541-265-5474

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Teachers, parents, citizens, students take to the streets again on school bond

Bond Elections, Education, Lincoln County Schools No Responses »

May 062011

Braving occasional rain and relentless chilly winds school bond supporters waved signs and gave thumbs up signals to passing motorists in Lincoln City this week. They are, of course, trying to keep the Lincoln County Schools Continuation Bond vote May 17th in the forefront of the minds of all voters. Supporters remind voters that although asking for yes votes in the middle of a recession may seem ill advised, they point to much lower prices for building materials and labor as offering the taxpayers of Lincoln County the best possible time to replace aging and expensive-to-maintain portable classrooms with permanent ones. They also say with the payoff of current school bonds, there is room to add replacement bonds May 17th that will, therefore, not raise the schools’ portion of local tax bills. That’s why they call it a “continuation bond.”

Supporters also point to the fact that Waldport High School lies right in way of any major tsunanim that comes ashore. Although students and staff would have plenty of time to evacuate in the event of a distant earthquake-generated tsunami, schools safety chief Sue Graves pointed out in a recent editorial that in the event of a local quake, a tsunami would arrive within minutes, not hours. She points out there would be precious little time for the evacuation of the wreckage of the high school, making survival for the school’s 259 students and staff very much in doubt. There just wouldn’t be enough time.

However, some residents are in no mood for approving new projects, especially during hard economic times. But supporters say again that costs will never be lower than they are today and that the schools portion of the property tax will not rise. They contend that most students in Lincoln County are forced to learn in portable classrooms that are operating way beyond their life-span. There are leaky roofs, drafty door jams and windows and they are very expensive to heat. Supporters say high maintenance and utility costs would go away with the construction of new buildings ensuring that all funds are more efficiently applied to the education of Lincoln County children. And that replacing sports playing fields with artificial turf would also reduce maintenance costs for mowing and fertilizing to the extent the fields would pay for themselves over time producing actual long term savings.

The Lincoln County School Board has pledged to bend over backwards to hire local contractors and labor as well as building materials to give the biggest economic boost that a 63 million dollar bond can give to the local economy.

Ballots are already coming in to the county elections office. Deadline for voting is May 17th. Places to drop off your ballot (other than the post office) are listed here. Click for info:

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School Bond Supporters Up Early With Signs in Newport

Bond Elections, Lincoln County Schools No Responses »

May 042011

School Bond Supporters, Wednesday AM, JC Market, Newport

Kids on their way to school along with some of their parents, teachers and administrators gathered with signs in front of Newport’s JC Market Wednesday morning to show their support for the School Bond Continuation measure on the May 17th ballot. Voting has already begun.

Supporters say, if passed, will not raise taxes; in fact the tax rate for school bonds could fall very slightly from the school district getting a very low interest loan from the state to mix with other bonds that will be sold on the market. Strategically at stake is Waldport High School which lies right in line with the path of any major tsunami that comes ashore in Oregon. A recent position paper issued by Schools Safety Chief Susan Graves indicated that following a LOCAL earthquake, the tsunami it creates would likely come ashore well before all students and staff could climb out of what would be the wreckage of their school. Graves suggests many would die.

Besides the Waldport High tsunami zone issue, the district wants to take advantage of recession-driven low costs for construction of new school buildings to get rid of very old, long-past-their-lifespan portable classrooms that thousands of Lincoln County youngsters must spend most of their days in. Local construction workers and contractors would be given very strong support and consideration in bidding for the project, according to school officials. “We want our local economy and local residents to benefit from this bond issue if it passes. It would be like our own local ‘stimulus’ program,” said Superintendent Tom Rinearson.

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LC School District: “Our elected leaders support the May 17th school bond renewal.”

Bond Elections, Education, Uncategorized No Responses »

Apr 212011

Cities, County Pass School Bond Endorsement Proclamations

With the May 17 election nearing, the Lincoln County School District Board of Directors is pleased to report that the governing boards of several cities as well as the county have passed proclamations in support of the general obligation bond measure. “We presented information to several of our city and county leaders about the bond measure, and asked for their official support,” said Ron Beck, school board chairman. “We are pleased that they considered the facts, and agreed to proclaim their support.”

The city councils of Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport and Yachats, and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners have passed endorsement resolutions in recent days.
“When making our presentations, we explained that the school district has a unique opportunity to participate in a one-time federal stimulus program in which we are authorized to sell $15 million worth of bonds at low to zero interest,” Beck said. “Not only would this allow us to improve school facilities without increasing the tax rate, it could save taxpayers more than $9 million over the life of the bond. That’s huge.”

In part, the resolution passed by the county commissioners reads:

“The Lincoln County Commissioners strongly believe that educational services and facilities are vitally important to a community’s welfare, economic development, and success of future generations… The upgrading of current facilities and the construction of new facilities are necessary if the Lincoln County School District is to provide these educational services and facilities… Citizens are urged to vote ‘YES’ in this election that is crucial to the educational needs of our community.”

The resolution further points out that the bond measure will fund the relocation of Waldport High School out of the tsunami zone for efficiency of operations and student/staff safety; the removal of 39 portable classroom buildings at six schools; the construction of permanent classrooms to replace the portables; remodeling of instructional space; disability access and safety improvements; energy improvements; and school sites and athletic field improvements.
The resolutions from the cities were very similar to the county’s resolution, reiterating the same favorable points.

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Newport City Council urges residents to vote YES on Lincoln County School Bond

Bond Elections, Education, Newport 2 Responses »

Apr 192011

The Newport City Council this week endorsed the passage of the Lincoln County Schools Improvement Bond on the May 17th ballot. The proclamation, passed by the council and signed by Mayor Mark McConnell, states that Newport residents believe that our educational facilities and services directly affect the quality of life and the economic health of the community.

The proclamation notes that if passed, the bond would remove 39 old and largely worn out portable classrooms and be replaced with permanent ones. The bond would build and remodel classrooms and instructional space. It would consolidate education services in Waldport with the construction of a new high school up and out of the tsunami zone, and be located next to Crestview School, with which it would share common ground for many services. The bond would pay for disability access and safety improvements and make site improvements to heating and lighting and upgrades to athletic fields.

The proclamation declares that the city council endorses the passage of the bond election May 17th and urges a resounding Yes vote among voters. By the way, due to the district qualifying for a low interest loan as part of the funding mix, the schools portion of the county property tax rate would decline, despite the yes vote. That’s because earlier school bonds are being paid off as the new bonds come on line.

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A letter to the voters of Lincoln County

Bond Elections, Education, Lincoln County 1 Response »

Apr 192011

Waldport High School, in Tsunami Zone

A letter to the voters of Lincoln County in support of the school bond in May.

The Yaquina Bay Economic Foundation (YBEF) is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)6 Corporation, which was formed in 1981 to encourage and promote growth in the greater Yaquina Bay region. Our group’s initial focus was the establishment of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and since that successful beginning, YBEF has a consistent tradition of involvement with programs and projects which impact the local area.

We have been given the opportunity to speak in support of the Lincoln County School bond proposal.

YBEF recognizes that there are many reasons why we believe the measure will benefit the entire county.

Here are just a few:
The Bond Measure is timely. We feel that putting off improvements only delays the inevitable. While portable classroom buildings have served a purpose for many years, the school district is challenged with their deterioration. Roofs continue to leak, heat and air systems remain inefficient. Without bond funding, the school district can only make limited improvements as state and federal funds, which are scarce, become less available during future years. We can’t afford to wait that long to protect our investment in schools.

If we pass the bond now, the school district can benefit from federal stimulus assistance in the form of Qualified School Construction Bonds. The QSCB program, in conjunction with current low interest rates, ensures that our property taxes will be lower than our current rates.

We must protect our students by protecting the infrastructure that supports their education. The recent tsunami in Japan underscores the importance of moving our last remaining school building out of harm’s way. Twelve feet above sea level is not a safe place for students, staff and school volunteers.

Strategic public investment benefits all of us – students, staff, businesses, and the community as a whole. Yaquina Bay Economic Foundation is in favor of a yes vote on the Lincoln County School Bond Measure.

Sincerely,

Bill Bain
President, Yaquina Bay Economic Foundation

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Community meetings on the school bond take to the road in April

Bond Elections, Education, Lincoln County No Responses »

Apr 062011

Keep Improving District Schools Committee to Host Community Meetings
Explaining School Renewal Bond

K.I.D.S. Committee of Lincoln County will host informational meetings in all areas of the county this month, giving voters the opportunity to learn about the school improvement bond measure that is on the May 17 ballot. The meetings will provide answers to questions, and tour specific schools to see first-hand what improvements are needed.

Lincoln County School District administrators, including Superintendent Tom Rinearson and Director of Support Services Rich Belloni, have been invited to attend. One or both have said they will be available to answer questions from the public at these meetings.

Community Meetings Schedule:

Tuesday, April 12, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Newport High School multipurpose room, 322 NE Eads St.

Wednesday, April 13, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., beginning at Toledo Elementary School, 600 SE Sturdevant Rd. and ending at Toledo Jr./Sr. High School, 1800 NE Sturdevant Rd. Because this meeting takes place through the dinner hour, a light meal will be served.

Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Waldport High School, room 2, 320 Lower Crestline Drive.

Monday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Oceanlake Elementary School gymnasium, 2420 NE 22nd St., Lincoln City.

Tuesday, April 26, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Hatfield Marine Science Center auditorium, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport.

K.I.D.S. Committee is a countywide organization of parents, community members, and educators who are working together to “Keep Improving District Schools.” They are encouraging voters to get the facts and to vote yes for school bond renewal. Herman Welch, former mayor of Waldport, is campaign manager.

“As a community, we are responsible for educating our children in a safe environment. We are also obligated to protect the significant dollar investment that we have in our school buildings,” Welch said. “As voters, we must become well informed on issues before voting. We hope people will come to these meetings ready to learn the facts about the bond measure and to have their questions answered.”

For more information about the proposed bond measure, visit the Lincoln County School District website at www.lincoln.k12.or.us or go online to Facebook/KIDS Committee of Lincoln County, Oregon. You may also call Welch at 541-563-2354; K.I.D.S. Committee Treasurer Sue Woodruff at 541-563-2479; or K.I.D.S. Committee Volunteer Coordinator Liz Martin at 541-270-1300.

Editor’s note: The May 17th School Bond Election will involve a $63 million dollar bond that will not raise taxes, and in fact may lower them slightly. That is possible because earlier school bonds will paid off as the new bonds take their place. But likewise, if the bond measure fails, property taxes would fall significantly. A newly emerging justification for passing the bond is that any school in a tsunami zone like Waldport High risks a tsumani at its front door within 20 minutes of an earthquake offshore, giving not enough time for trapped or injured children and staff to be removed from the building before the tsunami roared ashore.

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It looks like Schools Superintendent Tom Rinearson is “laying it on the line.”

Bond Elections, Education No Responses »

Mar 312011

Provided by Lincoln County School District
Superintendent Appoints Bond Oversight, CM/GC Committees

Nine community members have been appointed by Lincoln County School District Superintendent Tom Rinearson to serve on a Construction Manager/General Contractor Task Force, which would facilitate the district’s use of local contractors on school construction projects.

If voters approve the proposed capital improvements bond on May 17, four of the CM/GC members will be appointed to serve on a bond oversight committee, as well. This will help to fulfill the school district’s pledge to provide transparent decision-making and communication about the progress of bond projects.

“While I cannot predict future costs perfectly, nor can I predict precisely how the bond sales will go or if one project has unexpected problems that could affect the other projects, please know this: Ethics and trust are very important to me as a superintendent and as a human being,” Rinearson said. “Although I cannot promise beyond a shadow of doubt each and every project listed will be realized, I am committed to building what we say we will build. I am also committed to a very open community oversight process so if unexpected things occur, there will be transparency on the decision making,” he said.

Community members have been involved with the bond planning process that began more than three years ago, and they will continue to be involved through its completion should the bond be approved at the polls, school district officials said. If the bond passes, oversight committee members will review progress on project improvements, and recommend project modifications to account for decreases or increases in construction costs.

Rich Belloni of Newport, director of LCSD Support Services, explains that it makes sense for the oversight committee to be comprised of community members who are serving on the CM/CG Task Force. “These committee members have a good understanding of the proposed projects. They are familiar with our schools. They know construction and finances,” Belloni said. “These people are well respected in their communities for getting things done, and they’ll be ready to hit the ground running if the bond passes.”

The oversight committee will include:
David Green of Lincoln City – district manager and senior vice president of West Coast Bank.
Don Davis of Newport – former long-time city manager for the city of Newport.
Ron Beck of Newport – engineering specialist with Central Lincoln People’s Utility District (PUD) and current school board chairman.
Jim Chambers of Toledo – Lincoln County parks supervisor and former Toledo mayor.
Bill Turner of Waldport – retired electrical engineer/physicist who is active in several community and government boards and committees.

Along with Chambers, Davis, Green and Turner, the other CM/GC committee members are Julie Baldwin, manager of LCSD Business Services; Rich Belloni, director of LCSD Support Services; Brenda Brown, Toledo city utility clerk and current school board member; Peter Gintner, partner in a Newport law firm with expertise in the CM/GC process; and Jim Lewis, principal architect with gLAs Architects in Eugene.

District officials have been told that the CM/GC method of procurement would be beneficial for the proposed bond projects in that established project budgets will not exceeded and that it is important to maintain the highest level of project management throughout all phases of design and construction. Establishing a guaranteed maximum price for a project budget at the earliest possible date is only possible under a CM/GC approach.

Scheduling project construction is critical, as some of the projects involve displacing students and/or continuing school operations during construction. Experience in meeting critical scheduling challenges while maintaining a safe school environment with minimal impact to students and school staff will be a primary consideration in selecting a CM/GC.

Construction on the Oregon Coast requires unique skills and experience to handle such concerns as water intrusion, wind damage, schedule delays and unexpected cost overruns due to inclement weather, selecting appropriate exterior materials, etc. Experience working in the coastal environment will be another one of the primary considerations in CM/GC selection.

To meet the school district’s stated goal of using local subcontractors and suppliers as much as legally possible, the CM/GC will be asked to evaluate the local availability of critical skills and products, assist in encouraging local bidding activity, and develop bid packages that facilitate local involvement. The CM/GC process offers greater flexibility in this regard than competitive bidding.

For more information or answers to questions from the public, please call Lincoln County Schools at 541-265-4401, 4403, or 4412.

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Lincoln County school bond supporters seek volunteers to rally voters to pass it.

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Mar 102011

K.I.D.S. Committee Welcomes Volunteers and Support During Campaign to Pass School Renewal Bond

K.I.D.S. Committee of Lincoln County is actively campaigning in support of a proposed school improvement bond measure that will be on the May 17 ballot, and welcomes involvement from others in the community.

The committee is under the direction of David Miller, owner and general manager of Yaquina Bay Communications in Newport. Herman Welch, former mayor of Waldport, is campaign manager.

“As a community, we are responsible for educating our children in a safe environment. We are also obligated to protect the significant dollar investment that we have in our school buildings,” Welch said. “These are just two of several reasons why I felt compelled to join this campaign and reach as many voters as possible to urge them to vote yes on school bond renewal.”
Welch and other K.I.D.S. Committee members say that the passage of the bond measure will create funds for several renovation and structural projects that focus on student learning, safety, and protecting the investment in schools without increasing taxes.

“The school bond renewal will allow the building of new classrooms to replace old, worn-out portables that are years beyond their intended use, and will bring in new construction dollars to create jobs in our local communities, just when they are most needed,” he said. “The bond won’t increase school taxes over the present rate, and it allows the school district to take advantage of the current low interest rates and construction costs.”

The committee will be scheduling informational community meetings in all four areas of the county in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, they have created a Facebook page (KIDS Committee of Lincoln County, Oregon) to help share information with the community.

Those wishing to join the group, send a financial donation, or wanting more information are asked to contact Susan Woodruff, K.I.D.S. Committee treasurer, at 541-563-2479; or Liz Martin, K.I.D.S. Committee volunteer coordinator, at 541-270-1300.

Further Information that is quite helpful: Click Here

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