Oregon Public Broadcasting

An Oregon measure aimed at making it easier to pay for new school buildings goes before the Portland school board Monday.

Portland district staff have recommended board members support Ballot Measure 68 at their meeting tonight.

But it’ll be up to voters across Oregon to approve or reject the constitutional amendment, in May. 
 
The measure would allow the Oregon legislature to issue bonds to match voter-approved school district construction bonds. The state’s involvement would be new.

Typically, school districts have had to depend entirely on local voters to pay more in property tax for new schools. 

Dana Hepper is with Stand For Children, an advocacy group in favor of Measure 68. She said there’s one other change the measure would bring.
 


“It allows school districts to pass bonds that include critical school infrastructure that’s not currently allowed – like desks and bookcases," she said. 
 
The measure was referred to the ballot by the 2009 legislature.

Supporters say the measure doesn’t carry an immediate price tag, because lawmakers would decide in the future whether to issue the matching bonds.