Portland Public Schools, Oregon, Measure 26-215, Bond Issue (November 2020)

Portland Public Schools Measure 26-215
	Election date; November 3, 2020
	Topic; Local school bonds
	Status; Approved
Type; Referral	Origin; Lawmakers
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A bond issue to fund district renovations, technology, and safety was on the ballot for Portland Public Schools voters in Multnomah and Washington counties in Oregon, on November 3, 2020. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported authorizing the district to issue $1.2 billion in bonds to fund school renovations, technology, and safety without increasing the existing property tax of $250 per $100,000 of assessed property value to repay the bonds.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing the district to issue $1.2 billion in bonds to fund school renovations, technology, and safety.

A simple majority vote was required for the approval of Measure 26-215.

As of 2020, the total property tax rate was $967 per $100,000 of assessed property value. The total amount includes the permanent property tax rate ($528 per $100,000 of assessed property value) established by the state, the local option property tax rate ($199 per $100,000 of assessed property value), and the rate to finance the district's bonds ($241 per $100,000 of assessed property value).^[1]

In 2017, Portland voters approved Measure 26-193 with 66.01% of the vote to authorize the district to issue $790 million in bonds to improve, modernize, and repair education facilities in Portland public schools.

Election results

Portland Public Schools Measure 26-215
Result	Votes	Percentage
Yes	235,674	74.76%
No	79,576	25.24%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot question

The ballot question was as follows:

“

Shall Portland Public Schools repair, modernize schools; replace technology, curriculum; by issuing bonds estimated to maintain current tax rate? If the bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11b, Article Xl of the Oregon Constitution.^[2]

”

Ballot summary

The ballot summary was as follows:

“

Measure authorizes up to $1.208 billion in principal amount of general obligation bonds for facilities and education investments. Measure is not expected to increase tax rates above previous targets, because debt service is scheduled to decline.

If approved, this measure would finance capital costs, including projects that:

Provide curriculum materials, technology, accessibility improvements;
Repair/replace roofs, mechanical systems;
Renovate/replace schools, including Jefferson, Benson, a facility for alternative school programs; design renovation/replacement of Cleveland and Wilson; plan and add additional capacity;
Develop a culturally-responsive community plan, make targeted investments in facilities in North/Northeast Portland;
Strengthen building security; seismic safety.

Requires citizen accountability/oversight; independent audits of projects and expenditures.

Bonds may be issued in one or more series, with each series maturing in 30 years or less. Due to declining debt service, measure is not expected to increase PPS's bond tax rate above $2.50/$1,000 assessed value, the same rate that has been targeted since the 2017 bond issue. Actual rates may differ based on interest rates and changes in assessed value.^[2]

”

Full text

The full text can be read here.

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