When planning the bond, the school district and school board formed the oversight committee to ensure the projects were completed with the public interest in mind, on budget and with transparency.

The oversight committee is also an advisory panel to review financial statements and serve as a sounding board for the staff and the school board. The committee is made up of citizens with experience and expertise that would complement their purpose.

Committee member John Kite wanted to ensure the public knows how efficient and effective the process has been. “I was skeptical. I’m always skeptical where government money is involved,” Kite said. “This is one of the best government-run projects I have ever seen. The people of this county should remember, this is the way to do it.”

“These projects had to be on budget, said Justin Azevedo, maintenance manager for the district. “It had to be successful, and it was.”

“The whole community was dedicated to seeing this project come out as well as it did,” said Shannon Hand, committee member. “It was a project that had integrity from the very beginning.”

The bond projects included building a new Henley Elementary school and at other schools replacing fire alarm systems, lighting systems, constructing new roofs, installing new windows, replacing heating and air conditioning units, as well as remodeling and paving. The $31 million bond spread dollars and projects throughout the entire district.

The bulk of the funds went to Henley Elementary, a $20.38 million new school. Millions were also spent renovating schools from 50 to 80 years old. Remodels upgraded Peterson Elementary, Ferguson Elementary, Stearns Elementary, Shasta Elementary and Chiloquin Jr./Sr. High School. At elementary schools, work took place during the three months of summer break so students could be back in class on the first day of school.

“The showpiece of our bond was Henley Elementary, but every other school has been touched by a generous amount of money,” said Mike Beeson, committee member.

Shannon Hand commended those who designed the new Henley Elementary, saying they did a fantastic job creating a school built for the future. “It’s a child-friendly school that was completed with state-of-the-art safety features, giving staff the means and ability to protect students from harmful situations.”

KCSD Director of Business Services, Renée Ferguson, searched for grants to make bond dollars go further while Azevedo found energy rebates. Ferguson lobbied the Oregon Legislature to change its definition of green energy technology to include systems at Henley Elementary.

Energy rebates, grants and other incentives currently total $990,393.52. The district dedicated $782,766.65 to expand bond projects, like extending the bus loop at the Henley Complex to include Henley Middle School. The district didn’t cut projects, it added them.

“We’re under budget and we did every project we told the general public we were going to do,” Kite said. “That is an amazing accomplishment.”

Committee members were also proud to see local companies, contractors and workers completing jobs on schools. There was a lot of community pride in the workmanship. The district also used the in-house maintenance staff to help keep costs down, particularly on the smaller projects.

“It’s a win-win,” Azevedo said. “We get to upgrade our schools. Then by trying to keep a lot of this local, it helps grow the Klamath economy.”

As the district moves toward completing all the projects funded by the bond, the committee members are satisfied with the work they’ve seen done.

“If you look at what we’ve accomplished, it’s one big puzzle,” said Beeson. “We’ve been putting it together and we’re almost ready to put the last piece in.”

“Should the county school district ever decide to ask the citizens for further improvements to our schools in the future, this bond will be proof of the district’s ability to do it on time and within the budget,” said Ken Wolfe, committee member.

“I think the transparency has been wonderful and our future looks good,” Beeson said.

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Taxpayers, Students Served Well by Construction Project (H&N)