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Eagle Point School Board tables $48M bond By Kevin Opsahl Updated: Jul 22, 2022 04:58 PM A A Citing a tough economy, board won’t float a bond proposal this November Eagle Point High School Eagle Point voters will not have to consider this November whether to help pay for $48 million worth of projects to improve school infrastructure. The school board unanimously agreed Wednesday to table a proposal calling for a bond election. A district facilities planning committee cited current economic conditions and inflation as reasons the board should not approve such a measure now. After the meeting, Emily McIntire, who serves as board vice chair, emphasized in an interview the district needs to pass a bond at some point because the school needs are just too great — and a spring election, rather than a fall one, might be more ideal. “It is something we will do our best to do,” McIntire said, “but I think what was conveyed to us is we need to be building trust within our community. We need to be showing them the actual state of some of our buildings, especially our older buildings.” She was referring to a new effort discussed by the school board’s new chairman, Matt Stone. “We wanted to show the community, ‘This is the money we have to work with; this is how we’re spending it to improve our students’ experience in school — OK, now we need some help,’” Stone said. “Our focus going forward is really putting together ... a campaign to make sure that our community knows why and how we’re going to use that money.” For now, the district might be able to hammer away at some of its most pressing facility and infrastructure projects by tapping into certain funds, but only on a limited basis, McIntire said. “We want to create a fluid line of communication so that our community better understands the discussions we are having about school improvement, in general, and how that connects to student learning,” said district communications supervisor Dean MacInnis. “A lot of initiatives take a while to catch on,” MacInnis said. “My focus for this 2022-23 school year is to connect with the community and improve communications of the district’s vision and culture. That includes not only educating constituents about facilities but rolling out a new district website.” Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.