Hermiston School District outlines 2017 bond measure

The Hemiston School District will ask voters to approve a bond this spring to raise money to upgrade and replace some schools, while also enhancing security at some existing buildings.

"Portland State University helped us with survey, and they project that we will see a growth of 800 students by the year 2023," said Maria Duron, Communications Officer for the Hermiston School District. "That would be 80 modular classrooms that we would need to add to accommodate those students. And I think it's even proven that we've been growing faster than they anticipated."

Duron says two of the older schools, Rocky Heights and Highland Hills, will be replaced if the bond passes. The two remaining older schools are built in an open, "California" style, with exterior doors in many classrooms-- posing a safety issues.

"It's not just about having newer schools, we need to address the safety and security of the schools that we already have," Duron said.

The district is asking for $104 million dollars to help the district address those growth challenges, along with the safety and security concerns, and to replace some of the aging infrastructure. If passed, homeowners would pay about 90 cents per $1000 of assessed value, or about $13 a month for the average homeowner.

The school districts has scheduled three informational meetings for Friday, March 10 in the Hermiston School District Boardroom. They have scheduled 3 different meeting times: 7:00 a.mm, 12:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.