Hillsboro property owners would pay an estimated $1.84 per $1,000 of assessed value to fund a $430 million school construction bond on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The Hillsboro School Board, led by Chair Mark Watson, voted unanimously on May 26 to place the measure before voters. It is the district's largest bond request, topping the $408 million bond voters approved in 2017.
The district's May 26 press release said the proposed tax rate is 18 cents per thousand less than the average rate property owners have paid since that 2017 bond took effect. The earlier bond carried an estimated rate of $2.24 per $1,000.
What the money would cover
The bond program spans six project areas touching every school and district building: buildings and systems; safety and security; Career and College Pathways; Extracurriculars; technology and cybersecurity; and support services.
Specific projects include replacing or repairing roofs, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems, lighting and playgrounds. The district also plans lighted turf fields for year-round student and community use, safety upgrades districtwide and modernized classroom spaces.
The bond would carry approximately 20 years of repayment obligations, according to the district's FAQ page.
How it compares to 2017
The 2017 bond delivered more than $500 million in construction and improvements by using bond premiums, matching funds and partnerships, according to a December 2025 board packet. The district said all projects finished on time and under budget.
If the new bond passes, the district would also secure a state matching grant of more than $6 million, according to district planning documents. Capital bonds are the only mechanism Oregon school districts have for major building investments. State School Fund dollars cover daily operations and routine maintenance.
What voters should know
The bond proposal was shaped by the Bond Development Committee and Bond Steering Committee, which reviewed community feedback and polling data gathered in January and February 2026. The development committee held six meetings starting in September 2025.
Superintendent Travis Reiman's office released an explainer video on Friday, Oct. 2. The district's announcement noted a Spanish-language version is in production. Virtual Q&A sessions organized by school feeder groups are scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.; dates and registration links are posted at Hillsboro-Bond.org.
No organized opposition to the bond has surfaced publicly as of Oct. 2.
All tax-rate estimates cited here are district projections, not certified rates. A December 2025 board packet listed the estimate at $1.97 per $1,000 before the board approved a lower figure of approximately $1.84 in May 2026.
The district says ballots are scheduled to mail in mid-October.
