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A 40-year-old water pipe had fractured beneath the ground, spewing water into the air. "It was like a fountain in front of the library," Molly said. North Medford students say water-main leaks, roof leaks and dry rot are common sights at the campus, a complex of shoddily built wooden structures at North Keene Way Drive. Repairing those problems, replacing four dilapidated buildings and renovating four other structures at the high school are part of a $189 million bond measure voters in the Medford School District will consider Nov. 7. Advertisement If passed, the bond package will repair, renovate or replace 18 campuses in the district and cost property taxpayers an average of $227 per year. A 50-member facilities planning committee spent about 14 months evaluating needs for repairs and renovations at all campuses and recommended the package after paring it down from about $300 million. "The proposal was tested by fire in the public and public discourse with public meetings and the committee's research," said Superintendent Phil Long. "The concern was getting the maximum benefit for the minimum cost." The bond measure includes replacing roofing, flooring, windows and paint and adding heating and air-conditioning systems to nearly all Medford schools. Most of the flooring in the schools contains asbestos, which has to be monitored constantly to ensure particles aren't breaking loose into the air and causing a health hazard. Leaks in roofs combined with the lack of an adequate cooling system have exacerbated mold growth in some schools such as North Medford. The lack of air-conditioning also causes some schools to shutter their computer labs during hot weather to prevent the machines from short-circuiting. The air-conditioning system at North Medford went kaput last summer, causing stifling conditions in classrooms where windows are sealed shut. "It's not easy to concentrate when you're sweating bullets," said North Medford senior Nick Gustafson. "The objective of schools should be to make a comfortable environment to learn in and prosper in." On the other side of the district, money from the bond package would connect Griffin Creek Elementary near Jacksonville with the Medford water system. Griffin Creek staff and students don't know from day to day whether there will be enough water in the school's well to supply all the water fountains and toilets, said Office Manager Linda Johnson. A running toilet or operating sprinkler is enough to drain the well, Johnson said. School staff has to order a truckload of water to replenish it for the school day. The bond measure would cost residents $1.36 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for 29 years, adding about $227 annually to the tax bill on a house assessed at $167,000, the county average. Assessed valuation is typically about 50 percent of real market value. The $189 million bond package includes the following: South Medford High: Replace South with a new high school at Columbus and Cunningham avenues — $63.5 million. District facilities: Renovate South Medford to accommodate the maintenance department, the instructional media center, the network telecommunications department and the district nurse — $11.4 million. Cost of moving these facilities — $2.1 million. Lone Pine Elementary: Replace with a new school — $12.2 million. Jackson Elementary: Remodel — $7.7 million. North Medford High: Replace four buildings, renovate five other structures and unify campus for improved security; replace heating and air-conditioning systems — $50.5 million. Oak Grove Elementary: Remodel and add two classrooms — $7.2 million. Roosevelt Elementary: Remodel and add two classrooms — $7.8 million. Washington Elementary: Remodel structure, build new cafeteria and kitchen and add two classrooms — $4.3 million. Abraham Lincoln Elementary: Repaint — $49,500. Griffin Creek Elementary: Connect to city water in lieu of well water. Upgrade parking lot and playground; replace roofing, windows and flooring; add air-conditioning and heating systems — $2 million. Hoover Elementary: Upgrade technology, add parking and install air-conditioning and heating — $2.8 million. Howard Elementary: Upgrade restrooms, replace roofing, flooring and windows and install air-conditioning and heating systems — $1.1 million. Jacksonville Elementary: Upgrade parking, paint, repair roofing, replace flooring and add air-conditioning and heating systems — $463,000. Jefferson Elementary: Relocate kindergarten classrooms; upgrade playground; replace roofing, windows and flooring; and add air-conditioning and heating systems — $3 million. Kennedy Elementary: Improve campus drainage, replace roofing and flooring and install air-conditioning and heating — $1.9 million. Ruch Elementary: Paint, upgrade restrooms and locker rooms, replace roofing and flooring and add air-conditioning and heating systems — $1.1 million. Wilson Elementary: Upgrade restrooms; expand the cafeteria; replace roofing, windows and flooring; install air-conditioning and heating — $3.6 million. Hedrick Middle: Repair heating pipes, replace flooring and bleachers and add air-conditioning and heating systems — $1.4 million. McLoughlin Middle: Replace roofing, flooring and bleachers; add air-conditioning and heating systems — $1.2 million. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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