The 2019 Capital Bond was passed by West Linn-Wilsonville voters on November 5, 2019. The $206.8 million capital bond includes seven major projects spanning across the entire school district. The district will hire a construction management firm in addition to project architects during the month of January 2020, followed by the creation of a master schedule for the sequencing of projects in February. To receive regular 2019 bond updates, please sign up for the WLWV-Bond-Information ListServ.
November 2019 — the District posted an RFP for a Bond Construction Management Firm and Architecture Firm(s). The district expects to sell the first series of the 2019 capital bond in February, with smaller bond projects expected to break ground by the spring and summer of 2020.
November 22, 2019 — District staff met with the Board Chair and Piper Jaffray to learn about the bond sale authorization and timeline.
December — The district will begin screening interviews for construction management and architecture firms.
January 13 — The School Board gave approval for firms at the Jan. 13 School Board meeting.
February — The district is in the process of preparing a master schedule for sequencing projects. This will include the assignment of costs as well as a flowchart for expenditures for the School Board and community.
February 24 — The School Board hosted a joint-work session with the City of West Linn, providing updates on Capital Bond projects and progress.
Long Range Plan - Capital Improvement Program
2019 Bond School Board Resolution 2019-2 on Ballot and Notice of Measure Election
The West Linn-Wilsonville School District sold $147.9 million of the district’s General Obligation (GO) Bond authorization on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The bond was approved by voters in the November 2019 Election.
Due to high investor interest, the District sold $147.9 million in bonds but will receive $158.1 million for capital projects to be completed over the next few years. The remaining $58.9 million of the $206.8 million bond measure will be sold at a future date to complete the remaining capital projects outlined in the bond measure.
“Because of low interest rates in the market and the attractiveness of the District’s bonds, Wednesday’s sale resulted in a premium that the District can use for projects outlined in the bond measure,” said Chief Financial Officer Son Le Hughes.
The bond proceeds from the Feb. 12 sale will result in several key projects across the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. Capital projects will address overcrowding across the District, increase Career and Technical Education opportunities for students, increase safety and security, upgrade technology, and fund several other projects District-wide.
Major projects include a new primary school in Wilsonville, stadium and parking upgrades at West Linn High School, construction of a new Athey Creek Middle School in West Linn, relocation of the district’s third option high school to the existing Athey Creek Middle School building, and construction of a new performing arts center at Wilsonville High School among others.
In addition to the sale of GO bonds, the District executed a “refunding sale” agreement to save borrowing costs through lower interest rates. The refunding sale pertains to a bond measure approved by voters in 2014, saving West Linn-Wilsonville residents approximately $4.8 million.
“The District is grateful for the financial support of the community and is committed to managing bond funds responsibly,” Hughes said. “With this sale of bond proceeds, the District is excited to now focus on planning and construction of the capital projects outlined in the bond measure.”
To learn more about the 2019 Capital Bond, or to subscribe for capital bond updates and communications, please visit the Bond Website.
By approving three concurrent resolutions during the Dec. 2 School Board meeting, the West Linn-Wilsonville School Board determined November 5 election results, authorized the issuance and sale of GO bonds, and assigned the Board-appointed Long Range Planning Committee as the district's Bond Oversight Committee.
Election results from the Nov. 5 Election showed Measure 3-554, the district's $206.8 million Capital Bond, passed with 60 percent of votes. Measure 3-555, the district's Local Option Levy renewal, passed with 70 percent of votes. In total, 41.67 percent of registered voters voted in the November 5 Election.
The Bond Oversight Committee will meet regularly for the purpose of providing oversight of Capital Bond Management. The Bond Oversight Committee will actively monitor and regularly report to the Board on the progress of the 2019 bond program. Responsibilities include ensuring bond revenues are used for purposes consistent with the Long Range Plan and Measure 3-554; they will meet at least quarterly to review expenditure reports, project plans, and progress reports; and communicate key 2019 Capital Bond progress and information to community stakeholders.
Bond Manager Tim Woodley and Superintendent Dr. Kathy Ludwig also provided a bond timeline to the School Board during the Dec. 2 meeting.
November 2019 — the District posted an RFP for a Bond Construction Management Firm and Architecture Firm(s). The district expects to sell the first series of the 2019 capital bond in February, with smaller bond projects expected to break ground by the spring and summer of 2020.
November 22, 2019 — District staff met with the Board Chair and Piper Jaffray to learn about the bond sale authorization and timeline.
December — The district will begin screening interviews for construction management and architecture firms.
January 13 — The School Board will give approval for firms at the Jan. 13 School Board meeting.
February — The district will present a master schedule for sequencing projects. This will include the assignment of costs as well as a flowchart for expenditures for the School Board and community.
