Cascade SD 5 board sets bond ratification timeline, recommends Owner's Representative for oversight

Board Chair Brett Stegall and district staff told the Cascade School District #5 Board on June 8 that the district's recently passed bond will be certified on June 15 and that planning for projects will begin immediately.

"The Bond will be certified on June 15th and conversations will begin at that time to develop a project plan," Superintendent Darin Drill told the board. Director of Communications Mr. Koskela recommended the Board adopt a resolution before July 5 to ratify the bond and suggested a special meeting for June 22 to act on that ratification.

Koskela recommended hiring an Owner's Representative to help oversee bond projects and advised the Board that Finance Director Mr. Wang is already coordinating with Piper Sandler and other statewide resources to prepare for the sale of the bonds. He said the district will prioritize visible projects so the community can see progress by September 2027.

Koskela said the point-person structure will include an Owner's Representative working with the superintendent, finance director, facilities director and communications director. He said the district intends to use in-house staff where possible but anticipates contracting outside firms for technical tasks; Oregon prevailing-wage rules will apply for pre-manufactured buildings.

The Board scheduled a special meeting for June 22 to ratify the bond, and Koskela suggested forming a seven-member independent bond oversight committee that will work with the Owner's Representative and provide an annual report to the public. No vote on hiring an Owner's Representative occurred on June 8; the Board set the timeline and next steps.