More than half of school bonds and all school local option levies pass

Voters around the state showed an appetite for more school spending, passing 6 of 11 school construction bonds and all three school local option levies. Most passed with about two-thirds of the vote.

The Willamette Valley was supportive, passing bonds for Eugene and Oregon City school districts and the local option levies, which are used to supplement operating funds, for North Clackamas, Sweet Home and Tigard-Tualatin school districts.

On the coast, Astoria and Warrenton-Hammond school districts succeeded, but Siuslaw SD’s bond failed. In southern Oregon, Jackson County split with Ashland SD’s passing and Eagle Point SD’s failing. Wasco County along the Columbia River Gorge split as well, with Dufur Public Schools’ bond winning and North Wasco County SD’s bond failing. 

Redmond SD fell just short, with 49 percent in favor. Baker SD, which has not passed a bond since 1948, failed.

“This vote shows Oregonians do care about our kids,” said OSBA Executive Director Jim Green. “We hope that where bonds failed districts can re-engage with voters to show the need for increased education investment.”

See a full listing of election results.

- Jake Arnold, OSBA
jarnold@osba.org