What's New

North Clackamas Bond Boosts Local Employment

Planners estimate that the bond projects currently being implemented by North Clackamas Schools are benefiting some 1,500 workers in the Portland metropolitan area over the next four years.  This includes architects, builders, support workers, and others hired to complete major renovations and additions at 24 district schools, plus the construction of four new schools and two replacement schools.  By the end of 2008, the school district will have invested $162 million in the local economy. Green building practices give priority to building materials purchased from within 500 miles of the site.

Bond Tax Rate Lower Than Expected

The tax rate for second year of the 2006 North Clackamas School bond was released recently by the Assessor's Office.  Like last year, it is lower than expected.

Taxpayers will pay a rate of 98 cents for every $1,000 in assessed value, according to the Assessor's Office.

This is well below the original estimate, keeping the district’s promise that the rate will stay below $1.10 for the first four years.

A tax calculator is available on the school district web site, enabling home owners to calculate bond payments based on the taxable (assessed) value of their home.

North Clackamas Schools implements excise tax on development

The North Clackamas School Board last night implemented a new excise tax on residential, commercial, and industrial development. The excise revenue will allow the district to purchase and prepare sites for future schools, and to help defray the cost of new school facilities. The board received public input on the tax at its last three meetings.

The tax will be $1 per square foot on residential construction and 50 cents per square foot on non-residential construction. For non-residential construction only, the excise tax is limited to $25,000 per building permit or $25,000 per structure, whichever is less. The board has exempted additions totaling less than 1,000 square feet.

"For many years, citizens have asked for a way to have developers pay for the impacts new developments have on their schools," explained Ron Stewart, assistant superintendent for operations. "While the Construction Excise Tax does not provide all funds needed to completely address the impact from development, it certainly will help."

The excise tax was created with bipartisan support by the Oregon Legislature, with support from the Oregon Home Builders Association and Stand for Children, a children's advocacy group that has spent years lobbying for systems development charges to help fund new schools in high growth areas.

Implementing the excise tax on new construction will involve intergovernmental agreements between the school district and several government entities, including Clackamas County, the City of Milwaukie, and the City of Happy Valley.

By law, the excise tax does not apply to private schools, churches, public improvements, low-income (HUD) housing, hospital improvements, improvements to religious facilities, or agricultural buildings.

Happy Valley Elementary Temporarily Shifts New Students To Adjacent Schools
Posted: September 11th, 2007

With 12 portable classrooms in use, Happy Valley Elementary now has more than 900 students crowded into a school built for 550. To alleviate crowding while new schools are built, officials have decided to temporarily transfer any new students moving into the Happy Valley attendance area to two nearby schools: Spring Mountain and Oregon Trail.

For the rest of this school year, new students who move into the area bounded by Idleman, Scott Creek Lane, and S.E. 145th will attend Spring Mountain Elementary. Those moving into the area bounded by Sunnyside, Tong, 147th, and 145th will attend Oregon Trail Elementary. Once the new school opens in September 2008, they will be able to attend Scouters Mountain Elementary. Anyone with questions about school attendance boundaries can call 503-353-6119 for more information.

Assistant Superintendent Matt Utterback explained, "From the cafeteria to the gym, crowding at Happy Valley School is a challenge. This temporary move will allow us to keep class sizes at a reasonable level, while ensuring that we don't split up families."

"I want to clarify that this is an issue of space, not funding," Utterback said. "Because the state funds school operations on a per-student basis, we can hire the teachers we need. The challenge is where to put added classes until the new schools are built."

The district is in the process of building a replacement for Scouters Mountain Elementary, opening in September 2008 on the existing campus. Another new elementary school will be built east of 162nd Avenue to provide Happy Valley students with relief from crowding when it opens in September 2009.

Both projects are funded through a bond measure voters approved in November 2006.

North Clackamas Schools add 12 portable classrooms
Posted: August 21, 2007

This fall, North Clackamas Schools will add twelve portable classrooms, bringing the school district total to 84.

The new classrooms will be added to schools in high-growth neighborhoods, including 6 classrooms at Clackamas High, two at Sunrise Middle School, two at Sunnyside Elementary, and two at Happy Valley Elementary.

"We are thankful that the community supported the bond levy that will upgrade our schools and build new schools to relieve overcrowding and accommodate growth," said Ron Stewart, assistant superintendent for school operations. "While the district has an aggressive schedule to build new schools, we are still forced to temporarily lease and install 12 new classrooms to accommodate the students until the permanent classrooms can be constructed."

Four new schools will be built in the next three years to serve students in high growth areas. A new middle school now under construction in Happy Valley will open in the fall of 2009. Two new elementary schools will be built east of 162nd Avenue; one is slated to open in fall 2009, and one in 2010. A second new middle school has a planned opening in fall 2010.

Serving 17,300 students, North Clackamas is Oregon's 6th largest school district.

Ribbon cutting planned for all weather field at Clackamas High
Posted: August 21, 2007

A ribbon cutting ceremony will celebrate installation of the new all weather field at Clackamas High School. The event will take place at 6:45 p.m. on Friday, September 7 just before Clackamas High's first home football game against Canby High.

The Clackamas High School all weather field will enable physical education students and student athletes to play soccer, football, lacrosse and rugby on a daily basis year-round.

Next fall, Milwaukie High and Rex Putnam High will celebrate the installation of their own all-weather fields, plus track and stadium improvements that will bring parity to high school facilities across the school district.

The all weather fields will be funded through a combination of bond funds, community fundraising, and (at Milwaukie and Putnam High Schools) contributions from the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation department.

Bond projects bring first improvements to 13 schools
Posted: August 21, 2007

Across the community, roofers have been working in the hot sun getting schools ready for the rainy season ahead. In all, 18 projects are nearing completion at 13 North Clackamas schools.

Bids came in more than $500,000 below budget on the multiple projects, including roofing, boiler replacements, windows, flooring, field lighting, and other improvements.

These projects, mostly in response to school degradation, were completed first because they could be accomplished without extensive planning or land use decisions.

"The school district continues to remain within budget on the bond package," explained Capital Projects Manager Garry Kryszak. "We are managing the process closely."

Construction of a new elementary and middle school in Happy Valley is now under way. The elementary school is expected to open in 2008 and the middle school in 2009. The new schools will relieve crowding in high growth areas.

Over the next four years, improvement and renovation projects will touch every North Clackamas School.