Board approves $185 million bond resolution; staff will apply for up to $6 million in state matching funds

The West Linn–Wilsonville School District board voted to authorize a November 2025 ballot measure that would ask voters to approve up to $185 million in general obligation bonds to repair, update and maintain the district’s school facilities.

The board also directed staff to pursue the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching (“AWESOME”) grant for up to $6 million in matching funds, which would reduce the local tax burden if awarded.

Why it matters: District officials and long-range planning staff described the proposed bond as a stewardship-focused package that would fund mission-critical capital repairs and selected mission-important projects. Staff said a successful grant application and award would be applied as a match to bond projects and does not increase the bond ask; the grant requires a qualifying bond and timely submission of a long-range plan and a facility condition assessment.

Key details: Staff said the district polled likely voters and received favorable results for a similar large-dollar proposal; the district will publish explanatory language in the voters’ pamphlet and the bond resolution was reviewed by bond counsel. The board’s resolution also authorizes staff to submit the district’s long-range facilities plan and a targeted facility condition assessment by the state deadlines to preserve eligibility for the matching program.

Board action and vote: The board adopted Resolution 2024‑08 authorizing the bond measure; recorded votes were “aye” from Director Shoemaker, Director Sloop, Chair Taylor, Vice Chair Wyatt and Director Vidal. The motion passed.

Grant notes: Staff told the board the AWESOME grant gives preference to projects based on prioritization and may award matching funds to districts that have not recently received the grant; staff said the district has scheduled the required facility condition assessment to meet the July 1 application deadline.

Implementation and next steps: Staff will finalize ballot language and explanatory materials, submit the facility condition assessment for selected schools, and continue public outreach ahead of the November ballot. If awarded, AWESOME funds would be applied to bond projects; staff emphasized the grant is not guaranteed and the bond measure itself must pass for the funding to be effective.

Ending: The board’s vote moves the district into formal campaign and outreach planning for a November ballot measure and launches the state grant application process.