In November 2022, voters in the David Douglas School District approved a $140 million bond measure that will make improvements at schools across the District, as well as build a new Future Careers Center at David Douglas High School.

Projects totalling nearly $95 million are planned at every school in the District and focus on safety and security, needed upgrades to air, plumbing and electrical systems, as well as repairs to roofs, siding, windows and other areas with structural wear or damage.

A new Future Careers Center at DDHS will provide a state-of-the-art facility for science, technology, engineering and other vocations of the future, as well as industrial arts careers of the present. Thanks to our voters, about $46 million will go toward construction of the new center on the high school campus.

Passage of the bond also means that the District will receive a grant from the State of Oregon providing an additional $8 million in funding for the bond projects.

A particular goal of the bond will be the construction of secure entry way vestibules in every school that does not already have one. Some of our schools, such as Cherry Park and Gilbert Park, currently have secured entrances that require visitors to be buzzed in twice by office staff before gaining access to the building itself. Most of our schools do not have these entries, but soon will.

Thanks to our voters, these secure vestibules will be built at DDHS, Fir Ridge Campus, all three middle schools, and Earl Boyles, Menlo Park, Gilbert Heights, Ventura Park and West Powellhurst elementary schools.

The North Powellhurst building on SE 135th Ave. will also receive a secured entry vestibule, and some of its rooms will be remodeled and renovated for an expanded District preschool program.

Another safety and security feature in the bond package are new intercom and alarm systems at schools where upgrades are needed.

Several of our school buildings will also have areas remodeled in order to provide space for specialists who have been added over the last few years helping students and families in areas like restorative practices, mental health and behavioral supports.

Here is a complete, detailed listing of all the projects that will be built in the coming years due to the generosity of our District voters.

WITH THE PASSING OF THE MEASURE:

1) The State of Oregon will award the David Douglas School District a matching funds grant of $8 million to help fund proposed bond projects.

2) The bond will:

Prioritize health, safety and security projects at all district schools

Repair and update aging school buildings across the district

Fund the construction of a new Future Careers Center on the David Douglas High School campus to expand hands-on and vocational learning opportunities

Featured Image: Artist rendering of Future Careers Center at David Douglas High School