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On Thursday, May 3, 2012, Ridgefield School District took advantage of favorable municipal bond market conditions to sell $47,000,000 of new money bonds approved by voters this February at a lower interest rate than expected. The entirety of the bond allotment sold to interested buyers at a true interest cost of 3.36%.

"We are pleased to announce that the lower interest rate will result in a lower bond tax assessment than the $1.73 per thousand of assessed home value originally estimated," said Superintendent Art Edgerly. "Due to the favorable sale, the district estimates the bond tax assessment to now be approximately $1.65 per thousand of assessed value."

Jon Gores, Senior Vice President of D.A. Davidson & Co., the firm responsible for processing the sale of the district's bonds, congratulated both the district and its taxpayers for taking advantage of a historically volatile municipal bond market. "The market experienced one of the most volatile periods in its history within the past 36 months," said Gores. "This volatility led to favorable market conditions resulting in exceptionally low interest rates for the bonds."

In addition to market volatility, the district's bonds received ratings of Aa3 by the Moody's rating agency. "The district's excellent financial management and stable tax base were key elements that contributed to the high rating," said Gores. "Such a bond rating can be credited with the high number of investors bidding on the bonds and low borrowing cost for the taxpayers."

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Columbia West performed soil sampling and water tests using drills and hand-augers

Columbia West, a Vancouver-based firm specializing in geotechnical and environmental services, will be performing soil, water, and other testing at all three district campuses throughout the week.

1. Tuesday, May 1, 2012 - Union Ridge Elementary School/View Ridge Middle School Campus
2. Wednesday, May 2, 2012 - South Ridge Elementary School
3. Thursday, May 3, 2012 - Ridgefield High School

A Columbia West technician gets soil samples using a hand auger

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• The Core Team reviewed a variety of needs both current and potential needs including parking issues, restrooms, storage, locker rooms, kitchen deliveries, bus parking, and IT location issues.
  
• The team investigated what is and isn't working currently and why to help develop future ideas.
  
• The Core Team brainstormed possibilities for the new classrooms and discussed how to design the new building to help educators become more efficient and increase student learning.
  

Union Ridge Elementary School/View Ridge Middle School Core Team

• The Core Team reviewed the draft program summary as well as the site plan. 
• The Core Team toured the Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School in Vancouver School District to look at the Gym/Commons Stage Combination and classroom spaces:

• The Core Team discussed which existing spaces and classrooms best supported effective learning as well as which spaces presented obstacles to effective learning.
• The team reviewed and discussed project programs.
• The team discussed site planning.

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