In November, 2022, voters in the David Douglas School District approved a $140 million bond measure that is making improvements at every school building across the District, expanding space for preschool, as well as building a new Future Careers Center at David Douglas High School. A grant from the State of Oregon is providing an additional $8 million in funding for the bond projects.
Investing in Urgent Safety and Security Upgrades
There are 11 schools in the David Douglas School District that do not have secured entries. In most schools, our fire safety systems, intercoms, and other safety equipment are either aging, do not meet current standards, or don't exist at all. Classroom temperatures vary widely because our HVAC and air handling systems are aging, inefficient, or in some cases nonexistent. The bond allows our district to invest in these urgent upgrades:
- Build out secured entries at 11 schools
- Make air quality improvements; filtration, heating, cooling
- Install emergency generators
- Replace fire safety systems
- Remove asbestos ceilings
Investing in Large-Scale Repairs
The average age of a school in the David Douglas School District is 60 years. Some schools are over 70 years old. Buildings across the District have aging electrical, heating, and plumbing systems. These same buildings also have windows, siding, lighting, and physical education surfaces that have reached the end of their usable life. The bond is enabling our district make necessary repairs, extending the usability of our current buildings:
- Upgrade HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical Systems
- Install new windows, sidings, and lighting
- Replace track surfaces
Investing in Our Students' Future
Hands-on Learning & Future Careers at the High School
Education is changing. Students are now able to seek a variety of college and career pathways through the addition of vocational programs and job training programs. The main buildings at David Douglas High were built in 1954 and are out of date for today’s educational needs. Spaces for hands-on learning like Career and Technical Education (CTE), trades, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) are either too small or nonexistent.
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. Approximately $46 million is going toward construction of the new center on the high school campus.
Room for Preschool Expansion
Currently, the demand for early childhood learning exceeds available space at our elementary facilities. The David Douglas community has consistently listed expanded preschool spaces at our schools as a top priority, and we know there are local dollars coming from Multnomah County for expanded preschool. The bond will renovate the North Powellhurst building and create a preschool hub for David Douglas School District.
Space for Specialists
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 mental health and behavioral supports.
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR VOTING YES!
Click here for a full list of all bond projects for David Douglas School District.