If Eugene R-5 voters approve a bond issue on the April 5 ballot, school district officials said they'll be able to improve facilities and expand a program to help the district's youngest students.
The measure is called Proposition F.A.C.T.S., which stands for Facilities, Academics, Classrooms, Technology and Students.
"The district is in a good position with the bonds they ran in the past because the debt has been paid down to a point where they can borrow up to $2.5 million at no-tax-rate increase in terms of debt service," Superintendent Charley Burch said.
A district newsletter said the bond would address physical upgrades such as roof repair, restroom upgrades and overlaying parking lot asphalt, along with new flooring and lighting. A number of computer technology issues would also be addressed, such as replacement of the district server and switches, access points and cabling used to provide high speed internet.
Money would also be designated to the completion of track and field facilities including water, sewer, electricity, concrete flooring in the concession stand and bathrooms, stadium bleachers and work on the track infield to allow for drainage.
If passed, bond money would also go to remodeling the elementary school to expand the preschool program for 3-year-olds.
According to a survey sent out by the school, 74 percent of respondents said they'd like to see availability for 3-year-olds in the preschool.
During an open house at the school's performing arts center Wednesday night, Burch and officials from the engineering companies the district has hired to design the expansion said they are looking at two options. Both plans call for the expansion to be built to the left side of the entrance to the elementary school.
The first option would have four new classrooms built, along with two restrooms. In the school entrance area, there would be renovations for two classrooms. If the costs for doing the plan would be considered too high, the second option calls for three new classrooms to be built and renovations in the entrance area for three classrooms there.
The classrooms would be 750 square feet a piece and capable of having 25 students in each room. Currently the district offers preschool for 4- and 5-year-olds and has 40 students. District officials said they could have as many as 75-80 students if they are able to expand the building.
Burch was asked if they were looking at adding any teacher positions in the preschool if the bond issue would be approved. He noted no bond money could be used for teacher salaries, only capital improvements. However, if they can do the expansion, he said, they are looking at reshuffling current positions and may also add some if needed.
"If the measure passes, some of the construction would start as soon as this summer," Burch said. "The preschool expansion would take longer because we'd have to finalize the design and putting things out to bid. Construction on that would probably not start until August 2023.
"The community has been supportive of the school in the past, and I think they are with this issue," Burch added. "The school is the hub of the community. A lot of people are excited about getting a lot of issues addressed with this measure."
News Tribune reporter Anna Campbell contributed to this story.