Voters in the Portland, Beaverton, and Sherwood school districts approved new funding bonds Tuesday night, while it appeared that measures in Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and the David Douglas School District had failed to pass.

   In Portland, more than 84,000 people voted in favor of a five-year school levy designed to help pay teacher salaries and update school materials.   It would cost property owners $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value beginning in 2007.

“This was truly again an all-together effort, where you just found everyone from students to parents to community at the table working alongside each other” said Superintendent Vicki Phillips.

  In Beaverton, more than 58% of voters approved Measure 34-139, which allows the school district to issue up to $195,000,000 in bonds to build new facilities, plus improve and expand current buildings.   Property taxes will also be used to fund this measure. 

  “…The fact that our voters have said we are willing to pay for this and we know that we are crowded and we need to support our schools.  This is a very important positive for us” said Priscilla Turner, a member of the school board.

  Sherwood voters also approved a school construction bond.  Measure 34-130 allowed up to $98,000,000 in school construction and expansion bonds.   

   However, more Hillsboro voters said no to a $165 million school construction bond in a very tight race.  With 98% of the vote counted Wednesday morning, it was failing by less than 100 votes.

   56% of voters in the Forest Grove school district said no to nearly $50,000,000 in school bonds.   The numbers are similar in the David Douglas district, where 57% of voters said no to a 45 million dollar bond measure.

   The results of all elections must still be certified by election officials in each county.