District wins planning grants, moves to reactivate long-range facilities committee to pursue matching capital grant

The board was told the district received two planning grants — one for a long-range facilities plan and a second for a facility condition assessment — totaling $80,000. Staff said those planning grants are intended to fund the consultant work required by the Oregon Department of Education and will restore the district’s eligibility to apply for a matching capital grant that could provide up to $6 million if the district later places and passes a bond.

District staff outlined next steps: issue a request for proposals to the state-authorized list of facilities-planning consultants, reactivate a Long-Range Facilities Committee composed of staff, board members and community members, and complete the plan and assessment (a process staff estimated usually takes about a year). Staff emphasized community engagement as a key part of the planning process: the committee will gather public feedback so any future bond measure is informed by community priorities.

Staff said long-range facilities plans and condition assessments remain valid for five years; the district previously allowed its prior plan to expire and is now seeking to re-enter the matching-grant pipeline. The board asked for timing details for the state match application and was told the district will aim to submit required documents in time for the next funding window (the staff described typical July and December submission dates for the state program).