Supported by our Community
Dear Banks Residents,
I want to emphasize the importance of supporting the Banks School District Bond on your May ballot. The projects the bond seeks to complete are not just aspirational; they are essential. Delaying them will only escalate costs due to inflation. By passing the bond now, you're making a strategic financial decision that not only addresses urgent needs but also saves money in the long run.
The bond measure addresses crucial issues facing our schools today. Our current buildings are in need of significant upgrades to address challenges such as leaky roofs, heating, cooling, ventilation issues, and safety vulnerabilities. Plus we’ve all experienced the traffic congestion when school gets out. This bond will provide the necessary funds to modernize these aspects, ensuring our students have access to an environment conducive to learning.
The school district has a proven track record of fiscal responsibility. Right now, the fixes needed exceed the annual budget allocation, which is why passing this bond is imperative. A community oversight board and regular audits will ensure that your tax dollars are spent wisely and transparently.
Additionally, the district has maximized grant opportunities, further supplementing the bond. With over $5 million in state grants contingent on the bond's passage, we have a unique opportunity to leverage additional resources for our schools.
I urge you to vote yes for the Banks School District Bond, Measure 34-336. Let's prioritize the future of our students and community by investing wisely in our schools today.
State Senator Suzanne Weber
Banks’ Educators are Voting YES on 34-336
Our Students Deserve Better!!
Our Banks Schools community is resilient. Despite challenges in their learning environment, students and educators have found paths to endure and achieve. Students should focus on new learning experiences and educators should focus on securing our students’ futures, not the security and safety of our buildings in which they visit every day.
A YES on 34-336 Demonstrates that Our Community Values Student Excellence
The health and safety of our facilities does not reflect the love and care this community pours into our students on a daily basis. Our students deserve facilities that mirror the level of dedication and commitment of our community. Measure 34-336 is a reflection of our community’s values.
Build Healthy Schools
Modernizing school buildings ensures that our facilities last longer and provide our students with a safe and healthy learning environment. The funding from this bond measure will update air ventilation systems, improve seismic safety, and repair or replace roofs, keeping our schools in good shape. Our students deserve healthy and safe schools. This measure will also allow the district to build new, modern facilities to replace our oldest buildings, in addition to repair and upgrade school buildings across the district.
Banks Education Association and Banks Classified Association represents educators working in the Banks School District. This includes licensed teachers, instructional assistants, specialists and counselors.
THE BANKS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AND THE BANKS CLASSIFIED ASSOCIATION URGES YOU TO VOTE YES ON 34-336 FOR BETTER BANKS SCHOOLS!
BANKS SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS URGE A YES VOTE FOR MEASURE 34-336!
As high school students here in Banks we see the urgent need for the investments Measure 34-336 will make in our schools every day. Measure 34-336 would raise $49.3 million to fund classroom and campus improvements, which would provide updated classroom space where we can worry about learning algebra rather than worry about getting hit by water leaking through the roof.
HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SECURITY
We deserve to feel safe and healthy in our classrooms and school buildings. Measure 34-336 funds investments in new ventilation systems, roofs, and seismic infrastructure upgrades. It will also add physical threat security upgrades at the schools making sure that only people who should be in our schools have access to them.
MODERN SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Funding from the bond will also build a new two-story building to replace a large section of Banks High School classrooms, while keeping the sections that we love, like our gym.
These investments will help support our families, neighbors, and friends for many years to come; building a stronger future for the community we love. We all need Banks’ adults to stand up for our future.
Take it from students who are in the schools every day: The time to invest is now!
Banks Students ask you to Vote YES on Measure 34-336!
Sophie Schoolmeester,
Banks High School Class of '26
Dennis Klein,
Banks High School Class of '24
Madison Grossnickle,
Banks High School Class of '24
Robby Harris,
Banks High School Class of '25
Emily Jordan,
Banks High School Class of '24
Our Schools Need this Bond. Join Me in Voting YES.
As Mayor of Banks, and a parent of both a former and a future Banks High School student, I want to help our students and educators be the best they can be. Right now, our schools are in need of critical repairs that are essential for our student’s safety and education.
We have an opportunity with Measure 34-336 to invest in our school district, so that our students will be ready for today and the future. As the bond proposal was developed, the school district undertook a robust community engagement process. The bond includes projects that upgrade facilities by installing better air ventilation systems and improving seismic safety for the district and invests in a new two-story high school building with up to date science classrooms.
The Banks School Bond will improve school safety and enhance the learning environment for students and teachers — strengthening education, which is the foundation of our community and our economy.
As Banks Mayor, I urge you to vote YES on Measure 34-336 for Banks Schools by May 21.
Mayor Stephanie Jones, District Parent
Banks Businesses Say: Vote YES for Banks Schools
A YES vote on Measure 34-336 is an efficient investment in a better future for our community.
The Banks School Bond is critical to keeping our schools and community strong. As businesses in the local community, we know that schools serve as the foundation for a healthy economy. Our schools prepare students for college, trade schools and the workforce, and contribute to a vibrant community. Our students deserve better than what exists now. Our students deserve to learn in facilities that demonstrate the importance of education to our community.
Measure 34-336 Creates a Safer and Healthier Environment for Learning. This bond will provide better buildings, air ventilation systems and improved seismic safety. It will invest in critical repairs and replace the district’s oldest buildings, keeping our schools in good shape for the future.
“Mike Lyda and Lyda Excavating, Inc. 100% support the upcoming school bond. Our community has been in need of school upgrades for years and it is now a dire need. Whether you have kids in the program or not, having good, safe, and modern facilities is a necessity for the success of our community. There is tremendous pride in our community and it should show with our facilities. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate endeavor than a magnificent updated school. Banks has had great success both scholastically and in sports. Let’s ensure this continued success with beautiful facilities! Go Braves!” - Mike Lyda, Lyda Excavating, Inc.
“Our kids are our future and they deserve to learn in a safe environment with the best resources available. I’m proud to support this school bond measure.” - Mark Standley Jr., Bighorn Logging, Vice President.
Mike Lyda, Lyda Excavating, Inc.
Mark Standley Jr., Bighorn Logging, Vice President
Banks’ Special Education Families are Voting YES on 34-336
Dignity and Access Demand Action!
Like any student, our students with disabilities or special needs deserve access to a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment. Deficiencies in school buildings that impede or interrupt a typical student can block access or even threaten the dignity of our students that depend on accommodations and support. When accommodations and infrastructure are lacking, a disability may take focus, but when the proper supports are in place the focus can return to where it belongs, on every student’s success and pride.
A YES Vote Demonstrates that Our Community Values Student Access
The warm care and respect that the community demonstrates when interacting with our students is unique and exemplary. Measure 34-336 is an opportunity to reflect that care in the accessibility and safety posture of our schools. Measure 34-336 is an opportunity to align our community values with the infrastructure of our schools, and reaffirm the idea that every student deserves to learn and grow in a safe and supportive learning environment.
Banks Special Education Families urge you to Vote YES on Measure 34-366!
The Savage Family
The Schlegel Family
The Williams Family
Jennifer Hill
Please Join Us and Support a Brighter Future for
Banks Schools!
The Banks School Board outlines our findings and plans in proposing this bond measure.
What the bond covers:
The primary focus of the bond money will be on the high school with other projects at the middle and elementary schools.
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Two-story high school classroom wing replacing most of the learning spaces.
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Traffic flow enhancements.
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Replace obsolete HVAC equipment and roofs.
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Threat security upgrades for schools and campus.
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Fire, life safety and seismic upgrades.
How work will take place:
Construction will be completed in phases with the following goals:
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Minimize disruption of operating schools.
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Minimize the use and costs of temporary classrooms.
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Replace buildings of low utilization and functions first.
Cost of the project:
The funding of the proposed projects is as follows:
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Bond: Estimated increase in the bond tax rate from $1.80 to $2.99 per $1,000 of tax assessed value
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Tax assessed value is typically 50-60% of market assessed value. A market value of $500,000 will typically equal a tax assessed value of approximately $275,000 (see your tax statement). $275,000 times $1.19/thousand, equals a property tax increase of approximately $330 per year.
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OSCIIM grant: Banks has been approved up to $6M grant, if bond passes.
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Oregon Seismic Grant: Competitive grant awarded by the state, awaiting results for $2.5M grant.
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Renew Americas School: Working within a consortium of smaller districts applied for Federal grant for energy conservation, dollar amount unknown.
Why are we proposing it now:
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Extensive evaluation has determined that there is a pressing need to replace failing, obsolete and functionally inadequate structures and building systems.
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Over the past ten years maintenance costs have risen to approximately $1,500,000 a year.
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Existing bonds will be paid off in 2027.
Help us build a better future for our students. Join us in voting YES for our Banks Schools!
Banks School Board
Ron Frame
Dan Streblow
Corissa Mazurkiewicz
Will Moore
Leslee Sipp
Banks high school has given me a lot over the time I spent there; friendships that will last a lifetime, unforgettable memories, and a learning experience that prepared me for what life throws at me. However, I know firsthand how the school is for us. Between getting smoked out of a quarter of the school during burn season, to being able to see your breath in the hallways during the winter, it needs to change. Students at Banks deserve to have a better school and I want to be the one to leave it slightly better than how I got it.
-- Trapper Giesbers, Class of '23
I strongly believe after being educated through Banks’ school districts, that Banks High desperately needs to be rebuilt. It’s old and worn down. Current and future staff and students deserve a better building.
-- Devon Robinson, Class of '23
I strongly agree we need to better the Banks School District!
-- Paige McKibben, Class of '23
I went to Banks High School and agree that it is very in need of replacing, the patch-fixes aren't going to work forever.
-- Samantha Womack, Class of '23
My family moved to Banks in 1965. I am a Banks High Graduate from 1980. My three children are Banks High Graduates and we are working on the 3rd Generation of Graduates with my Grandchildren now in the school system. I was a 38 yr educator and value the Banks School system for all that it has uniquely given to our family. Unfortunately, since I've been around so long, I see that we are in GREAT NEED for upgrades/ updates and rebuilding! The Banks Bond is a necessity to facilitate all the unique and valuable educational impacts to our current and future generations. The relationships, community support and dedicated collective groups will continue to do an amazing job but we need the facilities to align with their dedication. Our family is on their 3rd successful generation of Banks Graduates. A walk through our current Banks HS facility will show all that we need repaired, rebuilt, maintained and updated. The fiscal responsibility of this community makes me think about the decision that makes the most sense for the next 10yrs and even for the next 50yrs! WE need to support our Banks Community and the dedicated team that invests in kids (and Grandkids) lives. I'm voting YES to our Bond.
-- Mike Blok, Class of '80
I have had 4 children go K-12 and have volunteered for many years, the last 13 years I have been lucky enough to be a district employee at the high school. I hope everyone sees now is the time for a new school.
-- Tammy Hilger
I worked at Banks for many years and have witnessed the desperate need for repairs. In the high school, it's so hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. This isn't an environment for learning. Not to mention, a molding, leaking roof -- and the list goes on and on. I know Banks values the education our children receive. Let our taxes raise, in the best interest of our community. We do not want to be in Gervais' shoes. If their measure doesn't pass, they'll have to close their school. Do we want to bus our kids into Hillsboro for an education? "No!!!" We all have deep roots right here!!! Let's Have Faith That We Have a Positive Outcome for Banks!! We are Voting "YES" to the Bond.
-- Kimberly Nusser
I am a District grandparent who completely endorses the bond. So glad we can obtain the 6 million in grant money if passed!! I have 5 grandchildren attending Banks SD #13. We are a great school district and the tax payers have not had to upgrade the school for years. We pay less school tax than most in the county; it is time we step up and get it done. If you can not afford an increase and you are 65 and over, you can defer all or a portion of your taxes very easily. Call if you need help: Ayla 503-707-2888. VOTE YES!
-- Ayla Hofler
Mike Greene, Class of '97
Travis Schlegal
Bob Moore, Banks High Alum