The School Board unanimously voted to send a $159 million bond measure to voters in the May 16, 2017, election.

The measure would:

• Make upgrades and improvements, including replacing roofs, siding, windows, plumbing, electrical systems in schools around the District.
• Make energy improvements, including replacing old, inefficient high maintenance heating/ventilation systems, doors, which would save energy costs.
• Make safety/security upgrades, including automatic door locks, fire alarms, security cameras to improve the safety of students.
• Make seismic upgrades to enable buildings to better withstand earthquakes.
• Renovate and/or add classroom space to support vocational/technical classes for all district middle school buildings.
• Renovate and add classrooms and a cafeteria at Oak Grove Elementary School; purchase property and construct a new elementary school in NE Albany to address growing enrollment and reduce overcrowding.
• Complete the first phase of West Albany High School’s rebuild that would include new classrooms, commons, auditorium, cafeteria and administrative space; and multipurpose space for vocational/technical education and gymnasium uses at South Albany High School.

The bond proposal is the result of a more than two-year process to identify facility needs in the District. The projects were reviewed by architects and recommended by a community-based District Facilities Advisory Committee (DFAC) that was made up of community members, parents and staff members.

DFAC initially identified more than $250 million in facility needs. This proposal represents the School Board’s priority to balance the most critical needs and the cost to taxpayers. This bond proposal is expected to increase taxes by an estimated $.64 per $1,000 of assessed property value because the 2006 bond is expiring.

For more information, read the resolution and explanatory statement. 

Find more information on the bond information page.

On Monday, the School Board honored Student All-Stars from Tangent Elementary School for earning the highest scores on the 2015-16 state assessments in reading, math and science.

Tangent students (pictured from left) are Jaxon Wirth, fifth-grade science; Emma Melton, fourth-grade language arts and math; Avery Brown, third-grade math; and Kailey Pierce, third-grade language arts.

Not pictured: Joseph Henderson, fifth-grade language arts.

Last week, Tangent Elementary School students and staff were treated to a puppet show, sponsored by the Albany Parks and Recreation’s 2017 Children’s Performing Arts Series.

The production of “The Toad Prince” was performed by a husband and wife team from the Tears of Joy Puppet Theater.

The show was also performed at Sunrise Elementary School.

Additional performances are scheduled for the 2017 performing arts series. See the flyer for dates and more information.

Please read the following parent letter to find out more about the Culinary Competition “Cook-Off” scheduled for March 16th. If your child plans to participate, the recipe card is due January 27th.

Parent Letter

Safety is our number one priority, and it is the main consideration when deciding school closures due to weather.

The district carefully evaluates road conditions and weather forecasts both the night before and early in the morning of a school day. The Superintendent and Director of Transportation start driving the roads around the district starting at 4 a.m. They consider the conditions of the roads, sidewalks and parking lots in Albany and the outlying areas.

They don’t make decisions lightly, but they choose to err on the side of caution in order to keep the more than 9,000 students and staff members safe.

It is not an easy process, and we understand that it can be frustrating for many parents. Making the decision is not an easy call, but we make that decision with the best possible information available and in the best interest of student, parent and staff safety.

Read the District statement about deciding school closures due to weather:

School Closure Process

School Closure Process-Español