Community members,
The district is excited to announce the successful passing of the FRSD Bond! It is a significant milestone for our community and a big thanks goes out to the community and staff members who worked hard to get the message out to voters.
By passing this bond, the community has demonstrated a commitment to providing students with the resources they need to thrive academically and personally. This support will enable us to make critical improvements to all four school buildings over the next three years.
On behalf of the staff, students, and school board, we would like to thank everyone who took the time to learn about the bond measure, engage in discussions, and ultimately cast their vote. As we move forward we will keep the Fern Ridge community updated every step of the way. A dedicated page on our website to track all bond related information is currently being developed. The groundwork has already started including:
- Selecting our owner’s representative, R & C Management.
- Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for upcoming professional service work have been sent.
- Design packages and timelines/calendars are being developed.
- A community bond oversight committee process is being created and reviewed.
- The Due Diligence and Rating Prep call is scheduled for July 9th. (This is a necessary step before selling the bonds).
- Our bond sale is scheduled for August 8th.
- All required OSCIM grant paperwork is being compiled and submitted (This is the free 6 million dollar grant the district applied for and received).
We look forward to sharing more information as we move forward. Once again, thank you for your support and belief in our schools. Together you have made a solid and lasting investment in the future of the community and students of Fern Ridge School District.
Following a multi-year process that included updating our Long Range Facility plan, conducting facility assessments, and multiple meetings with a group of community members, the District has finalized the project list for a bond that will be on the May 2024 ballot. If successful, the tax rate will not increase, it will stay at the historical average of $2.20/$1000 of assessed value. In addition, the District has applied for and received a state OSCIM grant that will allocate FRSD an additional 6M dollars (tax free), for use on additional projects to improve facilities for our students. Questions? Visit the bond Facebook page and website at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fernridgebond
Website: https://www.fernridgebond.com/
Lane County Public Works wants to be sure that parents have a voice in potential herbicide use near school bus stops. You can enroll your child’s bus stop into the No Spray Area program by filling out a short form available on the Lane County website at www.lanecounty.org/vegetation or by calling 541-682-8521 to request a paper application.
Tuesday, September 6th, the school year begins here in Fern Ridge, and we are excited to see students back in the buildings!
With the return of school days, we also have the return of traffic congestion, especially at the beginning of the year when students are learning their new bus routes, pick up & drop off time, and bus procedures, not to mention while parents are learning and remembering parking lot procedures!
School buses are picking up their passengers, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school, and harried parents are running behind due to the inevitabilities of life and trying to drop off their kids before work. It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present, ESPECIALLY at the beginning of the year when it is new for many.
Please remember:
- Slow down in the school zones.
- Know the drop-off and pick-up procedures at your school. If you have questions, call the school!
- If you have the ability to carpool, it REALLY helps AM congestion.
- Be extra alert when you encounter a school bus on the road.
Thank you for your help in ensuring all of our students are safe!
Gary Carpenter, Superintendent, FRSD 28J