FAQ's

The following is a breakdown of how the budget is allocated.  Architects and Engineers cover all drawings and engineering required for the structure.  Professional Services include items such as Geotech Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Land Use Consultant, Wetland Investigation, and other consulting services.  Construction is where the majority of the money is budgeted for the actual building of the school structures, sports fields, and parking lots.  Hazardous Materials are for abatement which is primarily asbestos, common in older building's drywall and floor tiles.  Furniture and Equipment pay for desks, science equipment, and supplies, as well as new technologies like smart boards.  A majority of the Permits budget goes to paying for building permits to the city. 

$2.28 will drop to $2.21 per thousand.  For a home assessed at $300,000, a homeowner would save $1.75 a month if the measure doesn’t pass.

It will drop by 0.07 over the next two years and 0.13 after that (based on the current assessment).

Bonds passed to generate money to fund school construction can only be spent on the construction project listed on the ballot when voters approved it.  All of the money is budgeted to complete the current High School renovation. 

When the initial bond was passed, our consultants felt we had enough to complete the project.  We currently have enough to complete the project, yet not the way we had all hoped.  When it is all said and done, we will have a great new facility our community will be proud of for many years, regardless of whether the bond passes or not.  As a School District, we would be remiss if we didn't provide our community with an opportunity to choose to add back $8 million of construction that evaporated with inflation at essentially no additional cost.  

The bond that is on the ballot will not change the current tax rate of $2.28 per $1000 of assessed value.  Next year the tax rate is expected to drop by $.07 per $1000, which is enough to offer a $4 million dollar bond to secure the $4 million matching grant from the state without changing what taxpayers paid this past year.  In the event the bond doesn’t pass, taxpayers will see a $.07 per $1000 savings on a home assessed at $300,000, which is about $1.75 a month savings.  

The district worked hard to package a bond ask that would not increase the current amount or extend the length of the bond.  What Mr. Stockwell is referencing is that the bond on the ballot will not change the current tax rate of $2.28 per $1000 of assessed value.  Next year the tax rate is expected to drop by $.07 per $1000, which is enough to offer a $4 million dollar bond to secure the $4 million matching grant from the state without changing what taxpayers paid this past year.  In the event the bond doesn’t pass, taxpayers will see a $.07 per $1000 savings on a home assessed at $300,000, which is about $1.75 a month savings.  

All $8 million will go to completing the High School construction project.

The short answer is yes. Supply chain issues and inflation have caused the budget to grow.  As the budget grows, the school district must remove items originally planned as part of the construction to remain on budget.  

The fields are currently open for use.

Barring any unforeseen issues, we anticipate having access to the gyms by mid-fall of 2023 and the auditorium by Spring Break of 2024.

Yes, enclosures connecting the old building A to building B and C making it one large building. A secure vestibular entry. Security doors with alarms are being installed so they can not be left open and unlocked. Window treatment in areas of high traffic to reduce the ability to break them to gain access. Upgrades to all of the fire and life safety alarm systems.

The parking lots will most likely be done at the end of the construction project. 

At this time, all but one of the portables will be moved at the completion of the construction. The district has no intentions of keeping them except for the one that was there prior to construction designed to serve our Sp. Education Transition Program.

Yes, like last year, graduation is planned for the football field stadium.

The potential items being considered for funding are listed on the ballot measure.  The priorities will be established by the School Board. The following have been prioritized for consideration but are in no particular order:

  • Update and replace HVAC in gyms

  • Improvements to Construction & Automotive Programs

  • Covered lunch/courtyard area

  • Pave Parking lot

  • Update Auditorium

  • Synthetic Turf at Softball and Baseball Fields

In 2020, St. Helens School District received voter approval for projects to update, repair, improve security and modernize St. Helens High School.  

Demolition is complete, and construction began on new classrooms, commons, CTE learning spaces, and the auditorium.

Unfortunately, project costs have escalated due to COVID-19 restrictions, supply chain issues, and inflation, resulting in the inability to complete some elements of the High School Improvement Bond as promised to voters.  These elements include HVAC,  Automotive Space, Parking Lots, Auditorium, and Athletic Fields.   

To fund these projects, the district applied for and was approved for a $4 million matching grant from the State of Oregon.  In order to receive these funds, the St Helens School District has to seek approval from voters for a $4 million Bond.  This is a 1:1 matching grant.  That Bond is Measure 5-295.  

Approval of Measure 5-295 will not increase the amount taxpayers currently pay, nor will it extend the life of the current Bond.   

As a district, we have spent hundreds of hours talking about the current HS Construction project and how to give our community the building they want and deserve. However, during the pandemic, our project faced a number of national and international challenges that created delays, including Covid work stoppages, inflation costs, labor shortages, and supply chain issues that affected not only our timeline but also our budget. Inflation has also had a huge impact on our budget, just like it has on everyone else. Some of the materials we initially wanted to purchase just aren’t feasible anymore.

We also faced supply chain delays. We order materials early whenever possible, but there are still significant delays. We recently ordered a main electric switch box with an estimated 39 weeks to deliver, and after ordering, that was pushed out to 59 weeks.

We had to make adjustments and modifications to the overall design and also make some cuts to the HVAC systems, CTE improvements, parking lots, and some other areas that aren’t critical to the school’s operations. In addition to reducing the project’s scope, we’ve also worked very hard to select economical materials that won’t compromise the quality or visual appeal of the finished product, but that has come with some concessions.

If passed, Measure 5-295 would fund the following projects that are reduced or eliminated from the High School Improvement Project:

·        Updating HVAC throughout

·        Paving the Parking lots

·        Updating CTE Programs

·        Covered area outside the commons

·        Updating the Auditorium

·        Updating the locker rooms

·        Turfing the Baseball and Softball Fields

In newly constructed areas, we will install new HVAC systems, but in areas like the old Building B where we have HVAC, and it is still working, only essential items to keep it running will be updated. These systems are at the end of their usable life and need complete replacement, so if the matching grant bond is passed, it would be on the top priorities.

No, Measure 5-295 will not increase taxes. The amount of the proposed bond is $4 million dollars. Property owners would continue to pay the current rate of $2.28 per $1,000 of assessed value. Passage of Measure 5-295 would also not extend the repayment period of the current Bond.   

When voters approved the High School Improvement Bond in 2020, it was estimated the total tax rate would be  $2.31 per assessed value of $1,000.

If the Measure passes, the total projected tax will be $2.28 per $1,000 of assessed value;  .03 cents less than originally projected. 

The District can add $4 million to the Bond capacity while still levying less than originally projected due to accelerated repayment of the current bonds combined with community growth within the District. 

The St. Helens School district has been awarded a state matching grant from the Oregon Department of Education in the amount of $4 million, but in order to secure the money for the project, voters have to pass at least a $4 million bond. If the measure does not pass the bond, the District would not receive any funds, and those funds could be directed to another district and its students.

There have been a number of challenges that have delayed and increased the cost of the project as a whole.  These include COVID-19 restrictions, supply chain issues, and inflation.  While the weather is always a challenge with construction in Oregon, it has not been a significant driver of delays.  

An example of inflation impact: the District delayed construction of the science wing while lumber prices were at an all-time high.  When lumber prices dropped, the District made purchases and started construction.  

An example of supply chain issues: the District tried to order a major electrical switch box 39 weeks ahead of time, knowing there were potential delays.  When the order was placed,  the lead time jumped to 59 weeks.

The short answer is due to accelerated repayment of the current bonds combined with community growth, there is “room” to add $4 million without increasing the current rate nor length of repayment.  

When voters approved the High School Improvement Bond in 2020, it was estimated the total tax rate would be  $2.31 per assessed value of $1,000.

Property owners in the district are currently paying a total Bond rate of 2.28 per $1,000 of assessed value.

If the Measure passes, the total projected tax will be $2.28 per $1,000 of assessed value;  the same as what is currently being paid and .03 cents less than originally projected. 

The District can do this due to accelerated repayment of the current bonds combined with community growth within the District.

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