4J Parent News
February 2024, Special Edition
School Make-Up Dates Announced
Due to school closures caused by the ice storm in January, the school board has approved adding two designated hazardous weather make-up days to the school calendar. While calendar adjustments are challenging regardless of their time, the board decided to add the following days:
- Monday, February 19, Presidents’ Day
- Friday, June 14
For more calendar information, please visit: 4j.lane.edu/calendars.
After the purchase closes, our district would move its administrative function from our current central office at 200 N. Monroe St. into the new building by the fall of 2025, opening the door for the return of educational programming at the current district office. The use of building zoned for educational use for business operations has long represented a missed opportunity to prioritize student-centric learning and activities, such as for career development and applied learning programs.
The total estimated project cost is about $13.5 million: less than $3 million for the building, and about $10 million for needed building improvements and abatement. Most money would come from one-time federal COVID relief funding.
In addition to providing additional education space, the new location will enable 4J to consolidate operations spread across the district in both buildings it owns and leases and create a more efficient, collaborative work environment.
The district plans to reconvene its long-range facility planning committee and engage in a robust community conversation in deciding our current district office's educational future.
Tax Levy Renewal Headed to May Ballot
Our school board has referred a measure renewing 4J's local option tax levy to the May 2024 primary ballot.
This would not be a new tax or a tax increase, but a continuation of the five-year levy that has provided additional money to help pay for 4J’s day-to-day operations since 2000. The levy generates about $25 million in operating revenue for the current school year, equivalent to about 32 school days or 205 teaching positions. It is set to expire in June 2025.
The proposed levy would generate an estimated $26.4 million to $29.8 million per year for five years to support district operations. If the levy is not renewed, our district would need to make budget cuts of the same amounts over that time span, reducing annual spending by about 10.5 percent.
The tax would continued to be levied at a rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value of a property. The rate is subject to a voter-approved property tax limitation, so some property owners pay less than the maximum rate. More details about the proposed local option tax renewal can be found in the school board meeting agenda.
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