FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Measure 3-624 | May 2025 Election
Site maintained by Yes for Gladstone Schools, ID #24217
This FAQ does not reflect the views of the Gladstone School District
A general obligation bond is a tool that allows a public school district to fund major capital improvements, such as facility upgrades or new construction. By law, bond funds cannot be used for daily operations like salaries or classroom supplies.
In 2006, Gladstone voters approved a 20-year school bond that will be fully paid off in 2027. The current tax rate for that bond is $4.30 per $1,000 of assessed home value. Measure 3-624 is a new bond that would replace the expiring one, beginning in 2027—without increasing your current tax rate.
The projects funded by the 2006 bond were completed years ago. What we're paying off now is the remaining principal and interest, similar to a home mortgage. You get the work done up front, then pay it off over time.
The 2006 bond made a big impact—funding the Gladstone Center for Children and Families and modernizing the high school. But school buildings, like any long-term infrastructure (or your own home), need continued investment to remain safe, efficient, and up-to-date. This bond will address critical repairs and aging systems across the district.
Homeowners will continue to pay the current rate of $4.30 per $1,000 of assessed value until 2027. After that, the rate will drop to $3.99 per $1,000 for the life of the new bond.
Yes. While the bond rate will be fixed at $3.99 per $1,000 of assessed value, the amount you pay may vary over time. This is due to changes in your assessed property value and the interest rates at the time the bonds are sold. The rate stays the same, but your yearly cost may adjust slightly.
No. Property taxes are based on assessed value, not market value. Your assessed value is usually significantly lower than what you see on Zillow. To find your actual assessed value, visit the Clackamas County Tax Assessor’s website.
If the measure is approved by voters, the bonds are expected to be sold in two phases:
The first sale - totaling $6 million - would occur shortly after the election. These funds, combined with a $6 million state matching grant, would support $12 million in urgent, critical repairs that need to be addressed before the current 2006 bond expires in 2027.
The second sale of bonds is planned for after the 2006 bond expires in 2027, allowing for continued investment without increasing the tax rate.
While interest rates are higher right now, the district is taking a conservative, phased approach to selling bonds. We will also have the ability to refinance the bonds later when the market is more favorable, just like you might refinance a home loan. In fact, the district refinanced the 2006 bond and saved taxpayers over $2 million by securing a lower interest rate.
Transparency is a top priority. If Measure 3-624 passes, a citizen-led oversight committee will be formed. This group—made up of community members and district staff—will meet regularly to monitor progress and ensure funds are used as promised. Community members are encouraged to volunteer.
Layoffs were due to a sharp increase in PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) rates, which impacted the general operating budget. Bond funds cannot legally be used for salaries. In fact, if the bond fails, the district may have to use general fund dollars—meant for teachers and programs—to cover critical repairs. That would make staffing challenges worse.
About 30% of Gladstone students come from neighboring communities, drawn by our small, tight-knit schools. Merging with another district wouldn’t necessarily save money—and could lead to higher taxes, as many nearby districts have both a bond and a local option levy.
There are urgent needs today—like a failing boiler at Kraxberger Middle School and a required fire safety panel at John Wetten Elementary. To address these and other critical repairs, the district applied for and was awarded a $6 million matching grant through the state’s Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching (OSCIM) Program.
But the district will only receive that $6 million if the bond passes.
Planning for this bond has been underway for nearly two years.
[View the planning timeline on page 8 of this board packet]
[Read the full Long Range Facilities Plan by BRIC Architects starting on page 35]
(Reports funded through Oregon TAP grants)
Some roofs were replaced under the 2006 bond, but that was nearly 20 years ago, and most roofing systems have a life span of about 20 years.
Kraxberger Middle School's roof was replaced in 2006
Gladstone High School's roof was replaced in 2008
About 50% of John Wetten Elementary's roof was repaired or replaced around 2019
Now, many of those roofs are approaching the end of their useful life and need to be replaced to avoid costly damage and disruption. Roofing costs account for about $18 million of the total bond package, based on updated estimates from September 2024, assuming work begins in Spring 2026.
If the bond fails, the tax rate will drop to zero after 2027. But critical repairs can’t wait. Delaying projects often means higher costs down the road—and may force the district to divert operating funds away from classrooms to pay for emergency repairs. Passing this bond keeps the rate low and protects classroom resources.
We’re not sure. Oregon law requires political committees to register with the Secretary of State and disclose their donors and expenditures. So far, no formal opposition committee has filed with the state.