The state needs to carefully assess and address the impacts of tax changes on border communities. Burton Waite of BSU reported. Enrollment rises when there is community growth, and the projected households will have school age children. Education is often not part of the process when communities and developers plan for growth. Growth is already substantial, and when you add to that the projection of the SRCI it gets scary.
Bonds require two-thirds voter approval to build, and any negative thing can kill a bond.
The public is often skeptical of projected student numbers. BSU is coordinating a distance learning system to link 10 school districts. EDNet is Oregon's distance learning network. Schools can be more proactive in the planning process. They can approach builders and real estate folks to support school planning as an integral part of development.