General Bond Information & FAQs
Welcome to the Glide School District general bond resource page. Here you can find essential answers regarding what a school bond is, why facility improvements require local funding, project timelines, and how taxpayer spending is monitored.
General Obligation Bond Basics
A bond measure is used by a public school district to finance school facility projects or other capital projects. Measures are placed on the ballot along with information about the specific projects that would be completed by the district if passed by voters.
What is a School Bond?
If Passed, How Much Would the Bond Measure Cost?
The $16.5 million bond is projected to maintain the District’s current estimated bond tax rate of $0.91 per $1,000 of assessed property value. No increase in the current bond tax rate is anticipated.
Why do School Districts Ask Voters to Approve Bonds for Facility Improvements?
Before 2016, Oregon provided no state funding for school construction or major repairs, so districts relied on local property taxes and voter-approved General Obligation (GO) bonds. While the State School Fund (SSF) helps cover daily operations and basic maintenance, it doesn't provide enough for large-scale renovations or new construction. Federal support is also very limited, leaving local bonds as the main way to fund needed facility improvements.
The Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching (OSCIM) Program began in 2016. Prior to its inception, Oregon did not provide state funding support for school infrastructure projects; districts relied on property tax revenues and General Obligation bonds to finance such improvements.
What Happens if the Bond Measure Does not Pass?
If the measure does not pass, the proposed projects would not be completed and property taxes would not be assessed.
Community Oversight & Spending Accountability
Who Would Have Oversight of Spending if the Bond Measure Passes?
If the bond measure passes, the School Board would appoint a long-term citizens bond oversight committee to review how property tax revenues are spent and ensure that proposed projects are implemented as voters intended.
What is the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee?
If the bond measure passes, the District would appoint a citizens bond oversight committee made up of community members, parents, and district staff to actively monitor the progress of the bond program, ensure bond revenues are used for purposes consistent with the voter-approved bond measure and consistent with state law. The bond oversight committee would report to the school board.