Introductions

The committee was introduced to our expert consultants in attendance, including the architects of Saj Architecture, who are facilitating the committee’s planning process. We’re grateful to have hired this team thanks to grant funds and the Capital Improvement Fund. Saj is made up of a committed team of architects, certified facility assessors, and interior designers, many of whom have more than 20 years of experience. They work with districts across Oregon and Washington, including Beaverton, Albany, Sisters, and many others.

Guiding Principles

The committee got to work right away to develop guiding principles that will direct how decisions are made. In alignment with the Strategic Plan, they based their ideas on the district’s five focus areas: Future-Ready Students, Thriving Communities, Fiscal Stewardship, Teaching & Learning, and Quality Staff. After a collaborative process, the group agreed on these draft guiding principles:

• Our schools empower students with dynamic learning environments for intellectual growth and modern engagement.
• Our schools provide innovative, safe, and engaging environments to support and elevate teaching.
• Our schools highlight community engagement through flexible, accessible spaces and partnerships.
• Our schools attract and retain staff by prioritizing professional needs and providing supportive work environments.
• Our schools maximize resources through equitable utilization, transparency, and mindful budget planning.

Finances and Bonds

Having a strong long-range facilities plan could pay off in the form of future grant funds. An effective facilities plan is required by the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching (OSCIM) program, which would provide the NSSD up to $8.2 million if the district were to pursue and voters approved a general obligation (GO) construction bond.

A representative from Piper Sandler, the Oregon expert on school bonds, provided the committee with an overview of GO bonds. Public school districts use bonds to finance school and other capital projects. Bond measures are placed on the ballot along with information about the specific projects that would be completed if the measure passes. Bonds are repaid with property taxes based on homes’ "Assessed Market value" (AMV), not the typically much higher "Real Market Value" (RMV).

NSSD previously passed a GO bond in 2013, and the committee reviewed bond scenarios that would maintain taxpayers’ existing rate. The school board holds the power to decide whether the district will pursue a bond to help meet facilities needs.

Facilities Assessments

The committee spent considerable time reviewing NSSD’s Facility Assessment Report, courtesy of Saj. The group examined each building’s age, renovation history, and condition, as well as estimated costs for repairs compared to replacing structures entirely. They also considered building capacity alongside current and projected enrollment.

The Saj team noted that across the district, high priorities are roofing, plumbing, mechanical upgrades, paving, kitchen equipment, envelope repairs, cooling at Stayton Middle School, testing and balancing on systems, and locker replacement at Stayton High School.

NSSD School Tours

Following the second meeting, the committee toured Sublimity Elementary School and Sublimity Middle School, documenting their noticings. 

Sublimity Elementary School was originally built in 1948, with additions in 1967, 1994, and 2014 and renovations including the recent addition of air conditioning and replacement of exterior windows. While the district facilities team has kept this building in excellent condition, it is still in need of repairs such as replacement of siding, doors, carpet, and more, along with addressing inconsistencies in the heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) systems. Sublimity Elementary also has a capacity issue to address, as the school site does not have room for fifth-graders and lacks dedicated gym space.

Sublimity Middle School was built in 1945, with an addition of two classrooms in the 1990s and several renovations including a recent seismic upgrade, replacement of exterior windows, and the addition of air conditioning. Still, this building is in need of improvements and repairs, especially to the gym and cafeteria building.

Over the next few weeks, the committee will tour every NSSD school.
 

School Tours Review

During the months of February and March, the committee gathered to tour North Santiam’s schools. Then at the March meeting, Saj Architects reviewed the strengths and needs at each of those facilities, based on feedback from committee members. Following the meeting, they toured the final school, Mari-Linn. Now, the committee members have toured each of the schools and are beginning to weigh the needs.

School Construction Funding

Next, the committee reviewed how school construction projects are funded. The State School Fund and the permanent tax rate do not cover construction or significant maintenance costs for school districts in Oregon. NSSD has saved $2.5 million in a Capital Project Fund, and also collects yearly revenue from Construction Excise Tax dollars on new construction that the district has used to fund projects across the district including accessible door systems. Additionally, the district has applied for a Seismic Rehabilitation Grant for the Stayton Elementary Gymnasium and applies for grant funds whenever available and appropriate. However, significant construction and maintenance projects must be funded through General Obligation Bonds. In North Santiam, the bond rate is currently about $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed home value. Assessed value differs considerably from the market value of a home, which is the sellable price marketed online.

21st Century Learning and Educational Adequacy

Saj Architects shared industry-standard layouts that are conducive to 21st century learning and a look at previous school renovations with the committee to help them begin to envision what’s best for North Santiam schools in the future. They also reviewed the “educational adequacy” report for each of the district’s schools, which is another measure of the buildings’ conditions in addition to the facility assessments. This educational adequacy report is populated based on a questionnaire from each principal and evaluates certain conditions such as air quality, temperature control, safety and security, and more. Many of the district’s schools showed needs in these areas.
 

Recap of Previous Meetings

Before diving in, the committee reviewed their previous sessions. Over the last few months, they have learned about construction bonds, evaluated facilities reports for each of the district’s schools and facilities, looked at capacity and enrollment trends, and considered the educational adequacy of the district’s spaces. They also toured every district school and engaged in thoughtful discussions based on their own established guiding principles:

• Our schools empower students with dynamic learning environments for intellectual growth and modern engagement.
• Our schools provide innovative, safe, and engaging environments to support and elevate teaching.
• Our schools highlight community engagement through flexible, accessible spaces and partnerships.
• Our schools attract and retain staff by prioritizing professional needs and providing supportive work environments.
• Our schools maximize resources through equitable utilization, transparency, and mindful budget planning.

Needs Prioritization

The majority of the fourth meeting was spent weighing the district’s facilities priorities. The committee spent considerable time working together to evaluate specific needs listed for each school and district-wide. They prioritized each need, regardless of budget, and based on the following scale:

• High Need: Complete in 0-5 years
• Medium: Complete in 6-10 years
• Low: Complete in 10+ years
• Not to be Considered

There was clear alignment around the importance of addressing critical needs and making thoughtful, long-term investments. This exercise was an important step in moving from a broad list of needs toward more defined priorities.