By ESTHER K. SMITH
News staff writer
October 12, 2007

The Hood River County School District has set dates for the first of a series of public forums to discuss both a potential construction bond levy and a Local Option Levy in May 2008.

The Cascade Action Team will meet Oct. 19 at noon at the Charburger in Cascade Locks. Meetings have also been set for Oct. 25 at Mid Valley Elementary School, at 6 p.m., and Oct. 31 at Hood River Valley High School, beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the library.

The school board decided in late September to begin community meetings on the potential bond levy and Local Option issue.

“We will be meeting in each school and attending as many community meetings as we can to ask patrons what they think about our proposals,” said District Superintendent Pat Evenson-Brady.

The new bond levy would upgrade all district facilities for health, safety and efficiency, add classroom space at the high school, and add elementary space by either constructing one new school for 300 students or adding space for 150 students each at Westside and Mid Valley.

Recommended upgrades vary by facility and address needs such as parking lot lighting, fencing, electrical upgrades, card lock systems, heating and ventilation, window replacement, and many others. Most buildings in the district need roofing, seismic upgrades and improved energy efficiency.

The current Local Option will expire at the end of this year and the 1993 Bond will be paid off in June 2008.

“This gives the district a way to ask voters if they want to meet some of these construction needs and provide a fiscal safety net for operating costs without increasing their current property tax rate paid for schools,” Evenson-Brady said.

The board is not set on a particular solution yet and wants to know how the community feels about the various options available.

At the community forums, detailed information will be available on the facilities options being considered and their relative costs, so that the public can give its input on priorities — and make an informed decision next year when the issue comes up for a vote.

•