The “Yes for 4J Schools” citizen committee kicked off a $319 million bond campaign today -- the largest bond in Lane County history. The size of the bond reflects immensely increased costs since 2013.
Five years ago, Eugene voters passed a $170 million dollar bond to build four new schools, including Roosevelt Middle School. Anne Marie Levis is a school board member and is on the bond committee, she says now, “170 million dollars would pay for about a half of an elementary school plus a high school, so costs have increased significantly.”
The bond would replace North Eugene High School and Edison and Camas Ridge Elementaries. Levis says everything from labor to materials has gotten more expensive. She acknowledges the bond doesn’t address teacher salaries or class sizes, but says some 4J buildings have been on a facilities plan for many years.
Levis: “Edison Elementary was built in the ‘20s. It cannot withstand a seismic occurrence.”
Levis says the committee is ready to talk to groups, knock on doors, and help voters understand what is in the bond.
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