School bonds earn wide voter support

Voters passed six of the eight school bonds and a local option levy on ballots Tuesday, most with comfortable margins.

“It’s a sign that voters support our public schools,” said OSBA Executive Director Jim Green. “Clearly, voters get that there are needs out there for school facilities.”

The largest construction bond, $408 million for the Hillsboro School District, passed easily, with two-thirds of the vote in partial returns. The smallest, $4 million for the Lowell School District in Lane County, also passed easily, with more than two-thirds of the vote in partial returns.

Voters approved bonds for North Marion, ($42.2 million) Phoenix-Talent ($68 million) in Jackson County, Oakridge ($6.2 million) in Lane County and Portland Community College ($185.5 million). Lane County voters renewed a levy worth about $5.4 million for the Siuslaw School District.

The $60 million bond for the Coos Bay School District had a slight lead in partial returns but was too close to call. Voters likely won’t know the final results for several weeks. A $65.5 million bond for the district failed in May.

Voters rejected a $29 million bond for the Central Linn School District.

Recent and past election results can be found on the OSBA bond and local option election data page.

- Jake Arnold, OSBA
jarnold@osba.org