January 14, 2022
(La Grande) - At the January 12, 2022 meeting of the La Grande School Board the board unanimously voted to refer to voters a $4.845 million school bond measure. If passed, the proposed bond funds would be used to replace the Annex at La Grande Middle school and move the Maintenance/Grounds/Facilities operations from the Annex to another site. If the proposed bond measure passes the existing school bond tax rate would not increase.
The La Grande School District (LGSD) recently refinanced the bond passed in 2014, enabling the restructure of its bond debt. If voters approve the proposed bond measure, the bond tax rate is estimated to remain at the current rate of $1.93 per $1,000 of assessed value without adding years to the bond payoff schedule.
LGSD will receive a $4 million grant from the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching program if the proposed bond passes in the May 2022 election. If the bond is approved, LGSD will receive the $4 million matching grant for a total of $8.845 million for bond projects. LGSD will not receive the matching grant if the proposed bond doesn’t pass.
If the bond is approved the Annex would be replaced with a single level pre-engineered structure, designed to be a multi-use facility used for academics (physical education, health, STEM, and CTE classes), athletics, and community events. The Maintenance/Grounds/Facilities operations would be moved from the Annex to another site. LGSD has a lease/purchase agreement to relocate these operations to the La Grande Light Truck building on Adams Avenue if the proposed bond passes
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Superintendent Mendoza at George.Mendoza@lagrandesd.org.