Hello. The following videos will describe our 2025 Bond effort, which is directly impacting our six elementary schools, Oregon City High School’s Career and Technical Education programs, and improvements to our fields and grounds.
To give you a bit of history: In 2000, our first Bond built Oregon City High School. Our second bond, passed in 2018, focused on our two middle schools, Tumwata and Gardiner. Our third phase of school improvement, and the 2024 voter-approved bond measure, is focused on our six elementary schools.
This effort began with our Long Range Facility Planning Committee, which convened in 2022. The LRFPC submitted recommendations to the School Board and our Superintendent. The School Board then directed the creation of a Community Bond Planning Committee to explore the feasibility and plans for a potential bond measure. This work helped inform our School Board of the prioritized needs, potential costs, and scope. The Board then voted to place a Bond Measure on the ballot in November 2024, and voters approved this bond. Thank you!
Let's turn to what has been happening so far.
In the Spring of 2025, we sold our 163 million in voter-approved bonds at a fabulous time, gaining 13 million in additional interest revenue to be added to the total amount for work in the district. We also engaged the firm OTAK, Inc. as the project-management partner for the bond program after reviewing and assessing applications.
We established the Community Bond Oversight Committee, or the C.B.O.C., who are tasked with making sure our district is being good stewards of the taxpayers' money and that the bond money is being spent as stated in the election ballot. Their first CBOC meeting took place on March 31, 2025. They have since met two more times, once in June and once in August.
In parallel, we formed the Elementary Design Group, or the EDAG. This is a group made up of district staff, students, and community members. This group met three times in the conceptual design phase. During that phase, we asked the group to dream big about specific improvements for our elementary schools so we could design and then price out their ideas. The architects took the feedback from the EDAG and created the conceptual designs.
Summer 2025 was about getting momentum, onboarding contractors, and early cost estimating. In August, at Oregon City High School, we kicked off our first phase with the fields and grounds projects. These projects include the installation of turf at the football field, varsity baseball and the varsity softball fields. We issued a Request for Proposals, or RFP, for Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) services for the phase 2 projects. This phase includes the C.T.E. improvements at O.C.H.S. and the elementary updates and upgrades at John McLoughlin, Candy Lane, and Holcomb. Three CM/GC firms were selected, and they began their first cost estimating exercises.
This brings us to where we are today.
Fall and Winter activities are now heavy on design finalization, approvals, and preparing for construction. The Bond Team, together with architects and the CM/GC partners, went through concept designs, value-engineering, and cost-reduction measures to bring budgets in line with realistic funding. But we need your input!
Design Development will be completed, cost estimates will be generated, and scopes will be finalized with community and school engagement. Final construction documents will be completed during this time. Permitting and land use with the City will be ongoing through February 2026.
Spring 2026 is when construction begins! The exciting next stage—construction begins—will start the day after school ends in June at the first three elementary schools (John McLoughlin, Holcomb, Candy Lane) and the CTE improvements at O.C.H.S.. This is when the vision and planning turn into visible progress.
You might be asking yourself why all this matters. Improved facilities mean a better learning environment for our students and the staff who support them in upgraded and updated buildings. It means our community is investing in future generations in facilities that our students and staff can be proud of, updating their school experiences to meet today’s current demands.
Finally, thank you to our community for voting in support of our school bond and trusting us to do exceptional work. Because of you, we are able to move forward with important upgrades to our schools that will benefit all of our students and families. We appreciate your belief in our future together.
Watch the each school's specific video below. You may provide feedback via this google form. Our bond team will also be visiting each of our phase two schools during conferences on November 24 and 25 to answer questions or receive input. Please see our calendar for when and where they will be.
Candy Lane Conceptual Designs
Let's look at what's planned for Candy Lane Elementary. The conceptual design includes a new cafeteria addition that will provide a modern dining space for students. A covered walkway will connect to the modulars, keeping students dry during Oregon's rainy weather. We're updating bathrooms throughout the building and adding a Family Resource Center to better support families and strengthen community connections. Outside, we're upgrading playground equipment with accessible options and a new soft play area so all students can play together. Inside, HVAC upgrades will bring both heating and cooling to the building for year-round comfort. Finally, we're updating learning environments with new furniture throughout, creating flexible spaces that support how students learn today.
Holcomb Conceptual Designs
Let's look at what's planned for Holcomb Elementary. The conceptual design includes a new cafeteria addition to provide an updated dining space for students. Outside, we're upgrading playground equipment with accessible options and a new soft play area for inclusive play. We're updating bathrooms throughout the building and adding a Family Resource Center to better serve families. A significant improvement brings the music classroom from the modular into the main building, giving music students a permanent home. We're creating a new classroom section where the library currently sits, and relocating the library to the front of the building for better visibility and access. HVAC upgrades will bring both heating and cooling for comfortable learning year-round. Finally, we're updating learning environments with new furniture throughout, creating modern, flexible spaces that support today's students.
John McLoughlin Conceptual Designs
Let's look at what's planned for John McLoughlin Elementary. The conceptual design includes a slightly expanded cafeteria by demolishing the existing stage, creating more dining space for students. A key improvement is adding walls for enclosed classrooms throughout the building, transforming open spaces into defined learning areas. We're updating bathrooms and adding a Family Resource Center to strengthen family support and engagement. Outside, we're upgrading playground equipment with accessible options and a new soft play area so all students can participate. HVAC upgrades will bring both heating and cooling for year-round comfort. Finally, we're updating learning environments with new furniture throughout, creating modern spaces that meet the needs of today's learners.
OCHS CTE Conceptual Designs
Let's look at what's currently planned for Oregon City High School. The conceptual design focuses on Career and Technical Education improvements that will expand opportunities for our students. We're creating a new intro to trades space where students can explore more hands-on career pathways. JROTC then moves from that location into the main building, giving the program an interior permanent home. A new digital media space will provide modern tools for students interested in communications and creative fields. We’re adding a new intro to robotics / engineering space to support STEM learning and innovation.