Oregon City board approves contracts, curriculum adoptions, meal rates and trips; superintendent warns a property‑tax repeal could force deep cuts

At its April 21 meeting, the Oregon City School Board approved multiple contracts, curriculum items, student trip requests and donations by roll call vote, and heard a superintendent briefing about a proposed ballot initiative that could eliminate property taxes.

On the consent and new‑business docket the board approved: a service agreement with the Center for Model Schools (to be paid with Title I funds) for 2026–27 professional development; a facility master‑planning contract with the Bureau Group of Architecture; the bid award to Midwest Construction for the Clay High School engineering classroom renovation; a K–4 math adoption and associated contract; a College Credit Plus agreement with Owens Community College for 2026–27; student meal prices for 2026–27 (high school $3.70, junior high $3.45, intermediate/elementary about $3.20, breakfast $2.15); overnight trip approvals for Clay High School (DECA nationals in Atlanta, BPA nationals in Nashville, Educators Rising nationals in Portland); and acceptance of donations including in‑kind work from Next Level Concrete (approximately $2,000) and a $9,000 Lorenzen Family Foundation gift to the career and technical department facilitated by the Oregon Schools Foundation.

Each item was moved, seconded and approved by roll call with members voting in the affirmative as recorded.

Superintendent (name not stated in the transcript) briefed the board about a newly formed coalition, "Ohioans to Protect Public Services," and warned that a petition initiative under consideration could eliminate property taxes across Ohio. He cited an Ohio Office of Budget Management figure of roughly $21.4 billion collected annually in real estate taxes statewide and said Oregon City Schools collects about $28.9 million locally; he said the district could face severe reductions in services or even closure if that revenue were removed without a replacement plan. He encouraged board members to review coalition materials and asked that questions be directed to the superintendent’s office.

Board members also received a treasurer’s report showing a cash balance of $23,715,015 and about 152 days cash on hand, with real estate and utility receipts above forecast for the fiscal year.

The board scheduled a work session for April 29 and set the next regular meeting for May 19. It later moved into executive session to discuss personnel matters.