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P-T school bond goes to voters $16.2 million sought for schools, offices By Vicki Guarino PHOENIX � Voters will decide in November whether they are willing to pay $16.2 million to enlarge and renovate schools and offices throughout the Phoenix-Talent School District. The proposal would add 10 classrooms and new cafeterias in the 2,800-student district to ease overcrowding. It also would revamp heating systems, add safety features such as lighting and locking systems, and set up a modular office to enable administrators to consolidate their work space for improved efficiency. The projects were outlined this spring by a citizens� committee after months of review, study and deliberation. The board approved a bond measure to finance the projects after little discussion, said schools Superintendent Dave Willard. "We�ve been talking about this for a long time,�� he said. If the bond measure is approved by voters, property owners would pay $1.17 per $1,000 assessed valuation. The owner of a $150,000 home, for example, would pay an additional $175.50 a year. The bond would be repaid over 20 years. District officials chose the November election for their bid because the state requirement of a 50 percent turnout to pass tax measures does not apply to general elections. The so-called double majority requirement � at least 50 percent turnout and 50 percent �yes� votes � a couple of years ago defeated a Central Point School district tax measure that would have passed by a simple majority. "I don�t think we could get the 50 percent turnout,�� Willard said. Two other school districts, Eagle Point and Rogue River, also are putting construction bond measures on the November ballot to sidestep the same hurdle. The Phoenix-Talent plan would accommodate new students in what has been a slow-growing district and preserve existing buildings. "This is not everything we�d like, but we think it�s sufficient," Willard said. "This money is to fix up what we have to make sure lasts for a long time." At the present rate of growth � generally 1 percent or less a year � the projects could serve the district for 10 years. A new school could be needed sooner, however, if stalled construction resumes in key locations. Willard noted that home building has been blocked in Talent because of water supply problems and in Southeast Medford because of traffic congestion at the South Medford freeway interchange. Work is underway to relieve both problems. School projects to be funded by the bond measure include: � Phoenix High School � heating-ventilation system overhaul, new carpeting, new security system and outside lights, choir room, tiered auditorium seating. � Talent Middle School � heating-ventilation system overhaul, bus loop and parking renovation, five new classrooms, office renovation, various building repairs. � Elementary schools � ventilation systems repair, lighting renovation, new cafeterias at Talent and Phoenix, four classrooms at Orchard Hill, renovation of bus loop and parking at Orchard Hill and Talent. � Administration � installation of modular building at present office site. Some money also would be set aside to purchase land for future building needs and make minor improvements to maintenance facilities. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA