Athena-Weston School District’s Board of Directors has voted to place a General Obligation Bond for the district on the November 2025 ballot. The vote to pass the resolution for the proposed bond was unanimous at its August 11th regular board meeting.
"The board and district look forward to providing information to our community about the proposed bond and the important and necessary district-wide capital improvements it would fund,” said Board Chair Tim Seymour.
The district’s Community Bond Advisory Committee (CBAC), which met monthly since September 2024, was comprised of 20 members. Their responsibilities included reviewing the district’s facilities assessment, evaluating financing options, developing a long-term plan and timeline for capital improvements and assessing the grade-level distribution across campuses. After the CBAC developed three draft recommendations, the public was able to provide feedback for several weeks over the summer. The CBAC then recommended a bond package to AWSD Superintendent Ann Vescio. At the meeting, the board accepted her recommendation and voted to place the bond on the November ballot.
If approved by voters, the proposed bond would raise $15.22 million and address facility needs across the district. The district would receive $10.21 million from the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching program, for a total of $25.43 million for proposed projects.
The proposed bond would carry an estimated tax rate of $2.86 per $1,000 of assessed property value for a 15.25-year term. This is an estimated increase of $1.47 per $1,000 assessed value from the district’s current bond, which is ending with final tax payments in 2025. For the median residential property owner in the AWSD boundary, this would translate into an estimated increase of $157/year, or $13/month.
If voters approve the proposed bond in the November 2025 election, tax payments on the proposed bond will begin in 2026. There would not be overlap in tax payments between the two bonds.
Proposed bond projects would support operational efficiency and increased student opportunities with Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5 at the Weston campus, and Grades 6-8 and 9-12 at the Athena campus. Building improvements would include:
Athena Campuses
New Career and Technical Education building for Grades 6-12 to support career, trade, science, and arts education
Main Gym with locker rooms, fitness rooms, and concessions
Improvements to existing buildings, remodel classrooms and High School student common
Remove modulars
Weston Campus
Additional parking
Traffic flow improvements
Improvements to existing buildings
Accessibility upgrades
WMS Lower Gym classroom remodel for Pre-Kindergarten
Until the election on November 4th, the Athena-Weston School District will provide information to students, families and community members about the scope of the proposed bond, its costs, and how it could potentially impact student success.
For information about the bond, please visit awsdbond.org or call the District Office at 541-566-3551.