Mt. Hood, Reynolds bonds fail

Leaders look to future without needed funds

By Kelly Moyer-Wade

The Gresham Outlook, Nov 7, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Carole Archer / The Outlook

From left, Mt. Hood Board Chairman Ralph Yates, Don Wallace, MHCC facilities director, Rob Nielson, director of student services and MHCC Board member Dave Shields watch preliminary results on the Multnomah County Elections Web site at Old Chicago Tuesday evening.

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Voters overwhelmingly rejected two school-related bond measures Tuesday.

Now local administrators for Mt. Hood Community College and the Reynolds School District must decide where to go from here.

“We’ll start making plans for what to do right away,” said Reynolds Superintendent Terry Kneisler, who added that the district is already overcrowded and growing each year. “We still have the challenge (of overcrowding). So we have to figure out what to do.”

By 12 p.m. Wednesday, Mt. Hood Community College’s attempt to pass a $58 facilities bond had failed 55 to 45 percent.

College President Dr. Robert Silverman gathered with supporters at Old Chicago Pizza in Gresham Tuesday night. Glancing sadly at preliminary results posted on a large screen, Silverman said he hoped the numbers would change in the college’s favor.

“I’m feeling like these numbers need to change,” Silverman said, smiling slightly.

The $58 million bond would have been the first time voters invested in the college’s infrastructure, and college administrators say the money was desperately needed.

“We’re spending a million dollars a year from our general fund for maintenance,” Silverman said.

The bond was marketed as an investment in the college’s future and the money would have paid for fixing such things as leaking roofs and obsolete electrical and mechanical systems.

Community college supporters were reminded of their failed 2002 bond, which was voted down by a similar margin of 60 percent to 40 percent.

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