Measure 379
Frequently Asked Questions
Commonly asked questions about the school bond
Commonly asked questions about the school bond
The Facilities Advisory Committee, which studied Siuslaw facilities for nearly 2 years, looked carefully at the possibility of remodeling the high school. We determined that it would be too expensive to be practical. A remodel that included upgrading each wing of the high school as well as seismic upgrades (estimated at $26 million) and replacement of mechanical and electrical systems would have cost over $83 million, not including the cost of modular buildings for up to 4 years while the building was being renovated. The cost was determined through the involvement of various professionals including engineers and architects. Our building would still have had the same footprint and the same core, and would not have addressed critical components like classroom size and natural light, some safety and security needs.
The committee also had to consider the reality of renovation costs. The estimated $83 million for a remodel is a starting point…not a guaranteed total. With a building of this age, there are always unknowns hidden behind walls, under floors, and in outdated systems. Once construction begins, those issues surface, and costs rise quickly. What may begin as an $83 million project can easily grow well beyond that, making it less predictable and potentially more expensive than building new.
The best time to build a new high school and remodel the elementary school was 5 or 10 years ago, when the need was evident and construction costs were lower. If we wait, construction costs will continue to rise and the facilities will continue to deteriorate.
We have been very fortunate to receive approval for a state construction grant of $6 million that the school district will receive if the voters approve the bond measure. This reduces the cost to individual taxpayers over the life of the bond. Since this particular grant — OSCIM — is awarded by lottery, it should be considered a one-time opportunity.
Yes! The Siuslaw School District has been awarded $6.1 million for a May 2026 bond measure if approved by voters. This OSCIM (Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching) grant is awarded by lottery. The Siuslaw School District is extremely fortunate to have been awarded this grant for the third time, but the district can use the funds only if the voters approve a bond measure in the next election (May 2026). The district has not been able to use it in the past because the subsequent bond measures did not pass.
Although no prediction of inflation is completely accurate due to the many uncertainties of the economy, our architect has accounted for expected increased costs as construction proceeds.
The need will not go away. In fact, it grows with each passing year as our facilities get older. At the same time, costs will continue to increase. In 2018, a replacement high school was expected to cost about $88 million. Today we are asking for about $126 million for a new high school. Construction costs have been increasing historically at about 5.5%, and are expected to continue rising faster than the Consumer Price Index. In the period from February, 2018 to February, 2026, school construction costs have risen 50.4% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Producer Price Index). We must continue to ask, for the sake of our children and the future of our community… but each year we will be asking for more money to accomplish the same purpose.
The Facilities Advisory Committee looked closely at the possibility of remodeling the existing high school building, but ultimately rejected the idea. If there were just a few issues, we could address each of them. But there are many issues, and addressing any one of them still leaves us with all the others along with aging buildings. Replacement parts are not always available for aging equipment. Even an extensive remodel would still leave us with an old building core and foundation. It is not cost-effective to remodel.
Furthermore, remodeling would be highly disruptive to students. Work would have to be done one wing at a time, requiring modular buildings throughout the process and meaning constant dust and noise for multiple years.
What would happen if we asked for some of the money needed for a new high school building, and the rest of the money later? It's possible the voters would turn down a second request, leaving us with a half-built facility.
We have thought about asking for only the high school now. The school board decided that it is better to ask for elementary school funds now, along with the high school funds, for two key reasons: first, the elementary school is in serious need of safety and security improvements. And second, if the voters were to reject a second bond measure in a few years, the elementary school needs would be postponed again, putting young lives at risk.
The $40M request in 2016 was hastily put together because the OSCIM (Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching) grant became available. Little time was available for planning and for explaining the need to the voters. The measure did not pass by a slim margin.
The $108M requested in 2018 was more carefully prepared but still with insufficient time to explain the need to voters. Because the measure included requests for all three schools and some athletic facilities, there were misunderstandings about what the funds were for.
This time, the Facilities Advisory Committee met regularly for about 20 months, carefully looking at the needs and developing alternatives which are being explained to the area residents. About 25 meetings have been held with community groups to get input.
A new high school building should last 75 years if it is built well. With regard to the high school, we do not anticipate returning for additional funds in the foreseeable future. Many schools have a rolling construction bond that continually adds more years to a bond payoff period. The Siuslaw School District is fortunate to be debt-free at this time.
Each school, and each situation, is different. Schools differ as to size, location, condition, structural components, past history, present and future needs, etc. It is risky and often creates confusion to try comparing one school district’s needs with those of another. For example, it is true that Creswell is remodeling rather than rebuilding, but their circumstances are entirely different from ours.
Significant parts of Creswell High School are much newer than Siuslaw High School; the average classroom size is smaller than that of Creswell; SHS is built of pre-cast concrete panels bolted together, which is much more difficult to remodel than a wood structure such as Creswell High School. Bolted concrete panels are also more rigid (less seismically safe) and harder to seismically upgrade than wood structures. The underlayment of the SHS structure is sand, which is at greater risk of liquefaction in an earthquake, and the coastal environment is harsh to building materials.
Our needs and our issues are much different than those of Creswell. Siuslaw High School has many needs that must take into account the foundation and structure, along with locker rooms, bathrooms, classroom size, lighting, lack of an auditorium, outdated electrical and plumbing systems, old and poorly functioning heating systems, unsecured entrances, lack of seismic safety, and more. Our location is also a factor that results in higher costs, given that heavy equipment must travel farther and along a more challenging route to reach the coast.
The median assessed value of a home in Florence in 2025 was $240,128. That means that the cost of the Siuslaw school bond for an average homeowner would be about $55 per month. However, the cost doesn't appear all at once. Bonds are sold as needed during the construction project, so there will be some phase-in of the new property tax. As new residents move into the area, and new apartments and homes are built, the cost to each homeowner is likely to fall over time.
The cost of the new high school will be $126 million, not $139 million. The additional $13 million is for improvements to the elementary school. These include 4 new classrooms to bring the kinders into the main building, enclosing the exposed walkways that connect buildings, seismic upgrades, and much-needed renovations to the oldest classrooms. For both schools, safety and security have been paramount in the planning process.
The cost of new school construction is far more than $250 to $350 per square foot that has been suggested in some posts. Comparisons of this sort are complicated. Developing cost comparisons for school buildings is much more complicated than developing such comparisons for personal residences. School construction projects differ significantly with regard to what is included in the stated cost, so it's important to know if both projects being compared include such items as demolition, architectural fees, permits, site preparation, construction management, infrastructure (fields, landscaping, roadways), etc. Measure 379 is a total-cost package. All costs related to the project are reflected in the bond rate.
When comparing projects, questions need to be asked: Is the project to which ours is being compared also in the state of Oregon? Are both projects being built in earthquake zones on a sand base that require deep pilings for seismic safety? Are both projects being built in coastal zones that must use materials that will withstand rainy winters and corrosive sea air? Are both projects in small towns that require importing equipment and workers?
A new school bond does not necessarily mean an instant rise in property taxes. It also does not mean that it will remain at its highest level throughout the life of the bond. Bonds are sold only as they are needed to fund the construction project. There is no "up front" cost to property owners after the bond measure passes. Our high school building will be funded in stages as the money is needed: first, to pay for architectural work, permits, site preparation, etc. Then when construction begins, bonds will be sold when the funds are needed. Throughout the process, an oversight committee will ensure that all funds are spent appropriately.
During the life of the bond, costs are likely to go down as the community grows and the tax base thereby also grows. This is exactly what happened with the Siuslaw Middle School bond, which was costing each property owner less at the end of the bond's life. That bond was paid off early.
By state law, school bond funds cannot be used for operations. Teacher and other school staff compensation, along with school supplies and building cleaning and maintenance, make up the bulk of the district's operating budget. The school district does have a relatively small building fund that comes from certain construction taxes. That money was used to purchase and install portable buildings that presently house our math classrooms and administrative offices. It is insufficient for any larger projects.
Comparisons such as square feet per student, cost per student, size of the building relative to the enrollment, etc. may lead to inaccurate conclusions. Such comparisons are often more complicated than they seem. For example, I've seen statements that the cost per student of the new building based on building cost ($126 million) divided by the enrollment (400 students). That calculation is seriously misleading because it assumes that only 400 students will ever use the building. In fact, over the life of the building (75+ years), thousands of students will pass through the high school building.
The drawing on our website that shows the footprint of the new high school is a sketch, not a blueprint. It shows the basic concept of including classrooms, career-technical facilities, gym, offices, etc. It is a representation of the building concept, subject to much refinement after the bond measure passes and an architect begins to prepare design options. Also, the high school will be a 2-story structure, which is not shown in the drawing.
Behind the surface, our schools face serious challenges:
We live in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 700-mile fault line off the Pacific Northwest coast. Scientists estimate that there is a 37% chance of an earthquake measuring 7.1 or greater in the next 50 years. Neither the high school nor the older portion of the elementary school can withstand an earthquake of anything close to that magnitude. Is that a chance we want to take with our children?
The existing high school building cannot withstand an earthquake beyond 3.5 to 4 without significant damage. That is well below the expected magnitude of a Cascadia event and well below current building codes. Replacing or upgrading the seismic safety of the high school and elementary school buildings will give our students and staff members a much better chance of surviving a major earthquake.
The school district has an excellent track record. A bond was passed in 2000 for a new middle school building on Oak Street. It was a 20-year bond, to be paid in full by 2020. In fact, it was paid off a year early. During the 20-year period, bond rates were lowered due to increased population and therefore an increased tax base. At the present time, the school district is debt-free.
When the need arose for modular buildings, the voters were not asked to pay for them. The district paid for the modulars from an existing school district account.
Many people will be involved in overseeing projects of this magnitude, including district personnel, a trusted architect, and an oversight committee consisting of community members. Although the facilities will be expensive, there is no luxury in what's being proposed. The buildings will be functional and will provide a healthy environment in which students can learn.
The existing high school building was not constructed well. The contract went to the lowest bidder, who cut corners by using inferior construction methods and cheap/outdated equipment. It was also built before today's seismic and other construction codes were created. This time, we are budgeting for a building that will last longer.
The numbers we have provided are the "high water mark." With projected growth in the community, a larger tax base will result in reduced monthly costs over time for all taxpayers. This is what happened with the middle school bond.
Keep in mind the benefits: attracting more professionals and businesses, providing more shared cultural and recreational space, and benefits that can attract more of our graduates to return to Florence. To keep our community strong and healthy — to keep Florence a City In Motion — we need high-quality schools!
Schools nationwide are experiencing budget shortfalls due to a variety of factors. However, operating funds and building funds are entirely different. They come from different sources and cannot be used for cross-purposes. The request for a bond measure to construct new facilities is unrelated to a shortage of operating funds. In fact, in the long run, new facilities will help to reduce operating costs such as maintenance and utilities — saving taxpayer dollars.
No, the funds will be used to construct a new public high school building and to make improvements to the elementary school facilities. The charter school will not receive any of the funds from the sale of bonds.
Yes, both academically and socially. Larger, better equipped classrooms will improve the quality of teaching and learning. More natural lighting will improve educational experiences and outcomes. A new building will improve attendance. A better design will improve flow, which in turn will improve socialization and reduce travel time between classes.
Quality schools keep Florence a City In Motion. The benefits include:
By supporting the schools, you are also supporting the future of Florence, Dunes City, and the surrounding area. Our children are our future. You are helping to attract more professionals, a more vibrant community, and a broader tax base. Some new school facilities will also be beneficial to the larger community. Keeping our schools strong keeps Florence a City In Motion.
No high school is planned for the charter school, so those students will still need a high quality high school facility. At the elementary school, the proposed improvements are not about size. They relate to safety and security, quality of classrooms, and bringing the kindergarten classes into the main building.
Yes. Many cars and buses will be diverted from Oak Street to Kingwood and 27th Streets.
A lot has happened in those years:
Historically, enrollment has been cyclical. Our community is growing with new housing, and we expect enrollment to increase. Siuslaw High School was built for 350 students but has been operating in the range of 375 to 450.
Even if size was not an issue, we still have aging electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems along with small (sometimes windowless) classrooms and lack of an auditorium — these are serious issues that affect safety and quality of education.
After listening to public input, the committee realized there was a better placement that provides:
The FEC is useful for an occasional evening event, but it's not practical for everyday school use. The only reasonable access is by busing students, which requires about 7 buses per assembly — expensive and time-consuming. A 45-minute assembly at the FEC takes at least two extra class periods.
The gym is not practical for assemblies either. Poor acoustics and uncomfortable seating make it unsatisfactory for anything other than sporting events and pep rallies.
No building lasts forever, and older buildings are far less efficient than new ones. A new building will use environmentally friendly materials when possible and will be far more energy efficient — saving on operating costs. Materials from the old building will be saved for other uses when possible. A new facility will also make better use of natural light and green space.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a great concept, but it's expensive and time-consuming to implement. We are better off making our building as environmentally friendly as possible while being fiscally responsible. The state of Oregon requires that 1.5% of the budget must be spent on environmentally-friendly construction.
Thanks to years of hard work by our dedicated maintenance and custodial staff, the building and grounds are as well-maintained as possible. However, there are many reasons that the building needs to be replaced that cannot be seen upon first sight and cannot be addressed by our maintenance staff. Each year, the building ages and the problems grow.
Once the new high school is built, the old high school will be torn down. The site will become playing fields for softball. The auxiliary gym will be repurposed as a fieldhouse for girls. The greenspace north of 27th street will be available for public use at times.
Not under normal circumstances. The systems are inadequate and outdated, many classrooms are too small and lack natural light, security is difficult to maintain due to the number of entrances, there is no large gathering space for assemblies, etc. But the building is not at imminent risk of falling down… unless a big earthquake hits the area. We have been informed that damage to the high school building and parts of elementary school structures would start to occur with an earthquake of 4.0 or less on the Richter scale. Based on historical data and pressure that is building along the fault line, scientists estimate there is a 37% chance that an earthquake of more than 7.0 will strike our coastal zone in the next 50 years.
Siuslaw High School is raising the bar in several important ways:
Twenty-first century education requires facilities that suit the times. Good teachers and good facilities go together like never before:
New facilities will further support these programs with proper spaces, helping our students succeed in the world of work and higher education.
It is true that good teachers are vitally important to a good education, but it is also true that good facilities support teaching and learning. Classrooms and other school spaces that are well-lit with natural light, large enough to not be overcrowded, temperature controlled, flexible to support different teaching styles, safe and secure with spaces for enrichment such as an auditorium contribute significantly to effective teaching and learning. Good teachers and good facilities are not separate; they go together to create the best learning environments.
New schools also help us to be competitive in hiring a shrinking teaching workforce. Schools that can offer better teaching conditions have an advantage in hiring teachers.
A wide variety of plans are followed by the students of each graduating class at Siuslaw High School. Some continue their formal education, in the U.S and beyond our borders. In recent years, our graduating seniors have enrolled in the U of Oregon, Oregon State U, Southern Oregon U, Western Oregon U, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State U, George Fox U, Willamette U, Lane Community College, Linn-Benton Community College, Southwestern Oregon Community College, Boise State University, Arizona State U, University of Hawaii, University of California, and more. From last year's class, an SHS student enrolled at ESMOD, an internationally renowned fashion design school. From the previous year's class, one of our students enrolled at James Cook University in Australia.
The career plans of our students also vary widely. Our graduates major in science, marine sciences, engineering, mathematics, computer science, art, music, history, English, naturalists, and more. Some study to become plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics, chefs, and welders. Each year, one or more of our graduates enter military service.
Many of our students choose Oregon colleges and universities because they want to stay relatively close to home and family. Some also opt for public colleges and universities or community colleges because they are less expensive than private ones.
Last year, two of our graduating seniors received prestigious Ford Family Foundation scholarships, which ensure that recipients receive the full cost of a four year university education along with additional supports. One of our graduates in the class of 2024 received a Presidential scholarship from Oregon State University.
A few of us who are associated with the Siuslaw Schools (2 graduates of SHS and two current employees) spent a few minutes writing down the names of Siuslaw graduates whom we know or recall, along with what they are doing now. We developed a list of 100 names. Of those 100 individuals, 83% are living in the Florence area. Here's what they are each doing now, by category:
The committee was established by the school board with the requirement that more than 50% of its membership be community members not employed by the school district. Of the 18 members, only 6 were school district employees or board members. The other 12 represented various aspects of local community life.
Yes. From the time of its inception, the committee worked closely with architect Curt Wilson of Wilson Architecture in Eugene. Curt has more than 30 years of experience and has spent more than 20 years in leadership roles in the American Institute of Architects, Oregon.
We're here to help. Reach out to the Citizens for School and Community PAC# 24826 team — it's time to invest in our future.