Bond measure would replace 70-year-old Molalla River Middle School to improve safety and learning spaces
The Molalla River School District Board of Directors have voted unanimously to place a middle school replacement bond measure before voters during the May 21, 2024 primary election.
The bond aims to replace the 70-year-old Molalla River Middle School building that has failing building systems, including a steam heating system and overloaded electrical systems. The replacement would address issues like outdated fire safety systems, toxic asbestos, and other extreme safety hazards, while also providing students with modern classrooms that offer flexible learning spaces for additional programming like career and technical education.
The District’s Community Bond Advisory Committee (CBAC), a volunteer group of parents and community members, spent the past year reviewing building condition assessments, educational adequacy, and capacity needs. Based on the critical issues at Molalla River School District, the CBAC has recommended the school replacement bond to the board.
“Our District and Community Bond Advisory Committee have worked diligently to craft a bond package aimed at addressing the critical issues at Molalla River Middle School,” shared school board chair Linda Eskridge. “This bond will create a safe and secure learning environment with greater opportunities for hands-on learning, which will meet the learning needs of students today and for generations to come.”
Board Member Neal Lucht said, “The middle school, which serves all students, is well past its useful life. Our kids deserve a better learning environment. Fortunately, supply chain issues have cleared up and we are able to propose a $77.5 million bond measure, a full $20 million less than this project was estimated to cost a year ago.”
The bonds are estimated to increase the tax rate property owners are currently paying by $1.55 per $1,000 of assessed value, which is different from real market value. For example, the average residential homeowner with an average assessed value of $276,225 would pay an additional $36 per month or $428 per year if the proposed measure passes. Chair Eskridge added, “This plan is the right one at the right time, and the Board chose options that consider affordability for people living on fixed incomes, and like me find themselves living on one income.”
The District would like to thank the following community members for volunteering their time on the Community Bond Advisory Committee and developing the recommendations for the bond:
- Kurt Brandemihl
- Julie Bystrom
- Leota Childress
- Mac Corthell
- Sally Dillon
- Tom Eskridge
- Mitch Graf
- Ron Higginbotham
- Corinne Johnsen
- James Lanahan
- Lauren Lucht
- Dwight Mason
- Sarah McArthur
- John Meyer
- Michelle Rickles
- Crystal Robles
For questions or more information about the Molalla River School District Proposed Bond Measure, please contact Andrea Watson, Molalla River School District Director of Communications, at andrea.watson@molallariv.k12.or.us.