THANK YOU, VOTERS!!
Thank you to our community for passing the bond. We feel so fortunate to live and work in a community that does whatever it takes to help our schools. We are so excited about the rebuild of West Albany. Again, thank you!!!
News
Voters pass Ballot Measure 22-165 for new schools and improvements
Greater Albany voters approved Measure 22-165 in the May 16 election with a passing rate of 54 percent.
“We want to thank our community for its support of our schools,” said Superintendent Jim Golden. “This measure will make a difference to kids and to our whole community.”
The bond will:
- Fix aging school buildings
- Make energy improvements
- Make school safety and security improvements
- Add/expand vocational and technical classrooms at all middle and high schools
- Relieve overcrowding and accommodate growth
The planning process will begin immediately. A project timeline and plan will be announced in the coming weeks and will include opportunities for community involvement.
High school students: Sign up for LBCC summer learning programs
LBCC has opened registration for its annual high school summer academies. Students who are entering grades 9-12 or have just graduated can sign up for a three-day hands-on learning experience in four in-demand training programs.
Options are:
- Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
- Machine Tool
- Mechatronics Technician
- Welding
Each program last three days and runs three hours each day. Registration is free.
Sign up here: www.linnbenton.edu/summeracademies
Looking for alumni information
We at West Albany High School are interested in where our graduates go and what they do as they move on with their lives. If you are a graduate of West Albany, from any year, would you send us an update?
If you know of a West Albany grad who is doing great things, can you share that information with us?
Thank you!
Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog!
Parent alert: 13 Reasons Why
Dear Parents of West Albany Students,
We would like you to be aware of a Netflix Original series “13 Reasons Why.” “13 Reasons Why” depicts a high school student who commits suicide. The character leaves tapes explaining 13 reasons why she kills herself. This show is intense and depicts graphic bullying, rape, sexual harassment and suicide. It is a fictional story based on a widely known novel and is meant to be a cautionary tale.
Many of our students have reported watching the series and/or are in the process of watching it. They are also talking about the series on social media. We want you to be aware of this due to the serious nature of the show and out of concern for our student’s well-being.
We have provided several attachments below in an effort to inform you about the series and support healthy communication with your child.
Additionally, please feel free to contact the West Albany Counseling office with questions or concerns via the following link: WAHS Counseling Office
13 Reasons Why: Talking Points
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Community Resources
Questions about Ballot Measure 22-165? See our bond information page
Measure 22-165 is on the May 16 ballot. All voters should have received ballots by now.
Be sure you have the facts. Check out the District’s bond information page to learn about this proposal.
Ballot Measure 22-165 would complete phase 1 of two-part WAHS replacement
If approved, Ballot Measure 22-165 would make improvements at every school in the District. It would also add new classrooms to accommodate growth and relieve current overcrowding.
The bond would fund the first phase of a replacement of West Albany High School school. Architects would design the complete project, and phase two would be part of a later bond proposal.
West Albany High School, built in 1953, is aging and is not suitable for today’s educational requirements. Phase 1 would include constructing a new commons, auditorium, performing arts classrooms, eight regular classrooms for vocational/technical programs.
Those pieces make up a little less than half of the overall replacement for the entire high school campus.
West Albany High School has had 10 major additions or renovations since it was constructed. The quality of the original construction is lower than many buildings that are much older and still serve a useful purpose, such as Central Elementary School.
The proposed school construction projects will be funded with bonds sold in two separate series. Half of the bonds will retire after ten years, and the other half will retire after twenty years.
The community will have an opportunity to approve additional capital projects without increasing taxes after the first series of bonds retire in 10 years. If that is the case, projects could include completing the entire West Albany High School replacement project in 10 years and with only one more phase.
See photo gallery of West Albany High School in the Democrat-Herald.