School district reports bond revisions and council renews school resource officer contract

Superintendent Stukes updated the Junction City City Council on the school district’s bond outreach and facilities projects at the April 8 meeting.

Stukes said the district is again campaigning for a bond this spring after a proposal failed last year. He said the district revised the measure to be “easier to swallow” for voters and has spent a year doing community outreach, producing FAQs and scheduling building tours of older facilities. He also reported a decline in enrollment of roughly 60 students compared with three years ago and said staffing and material cost increases require about a 7% reduction in the district’s general fund this year to balance the budget.

Stukes reviewed ongoing facilities work including two field-house projects (indoor batting cages, community-accessible spaces) funded partly by district funds and donations, and a seismic rehabilitation project for Laurel Elementary backed by an Oregon state grant (described in the district presentation as "$2.49" in the packet; the transcript did not specify units; the article therefore lists the grant reference as "Oregon state grant mentioned in presentation"). He said pre-bid engineering estimates were over budget and the district is awaiting bid results.

Separately, Chief Waddell presented the two-year contract renewal with the Junction City School District for the school resource officer position. The contract carries a 4% increase in district contribution over last year; Chief Waddell and councilors praised the officer’s school presence and partnership with staff. The council approved the renewal unanimously and authorized the city administrator to sign the contract.

Stukes also reminded the council of upcoming school budget dates, including the budget committee meeting on May 5 and the combined budget hearing.