Propositions I & N

The Ritenour School District Board of Education voted unanimously at its July 9, 2026 meeting to place two measures on the Nov. 3 ballot that would not increase the current school tax rate: a $42 million bond issue to fund facility improvements and a tax transfer that would shift a portion of existing tax revenue to support district operations.

The initiatives are called Proposition I (bond issue) and Proposition N (tax transfer). If approved by voters, Proposition I would provide funding for critical facility, maintenance and safety improvements throughout the district, while Proposition N would shift a small portion of existing tax revenue from debt service to support day-to-day operating expenses such as teacher salaries, classroom supplies and student services.  Neither measure would increase the current school tax rate for Ritenour School District residents.

Together, Propositions I and N address both the district's long-term facility needs and its ongoing operational needs. While Proposition I provides funding for major building improvements, Proposition N helps ensure the district can continue investing in students and staff without changing the current school tax rate.

Ritenour maintains nearly one million square feet of school facilities with a replacement value of more than $300 million. The district's school buildings average more than 55 years in age. While these buildings remain safe and well-constructed, they require ongoing maintenance, repairs and renovations to continue providing high-quality learning environments. Because of responsible financial management and increased property values, Ritenour can complete these improvements through a bond issue without increasing the current debt service tax rate.

"Our students and community deserve excellent facilities," said Superintendent Dr. Chris Kilbride. "Ritenour has a proud tradition of providing outstanding opportunities for students, and we remain committed to that legacy. We also have a responsibility to maintain these facilities so they continue serving students and families for generations to come."

Proposition I

Proposition I would allow the district to borrow $42 million in bonds to pay for major school maintenance and repair projects. Passage of Prop I would require approval by a four-sevenths majority, or 57.14 percent, of voters in the Nov. 3 election. Specifically, projects would include the following:

Building Improvements

• HVAC replacements and upgrades
• Window replacement at all elementary schools
• Building tuck-pointing
• Asbestos abatement

Safety & Learning Environment

• Safety and security improvements
• Furniture updates in all schools

School Renovations

• School for Early Childhood Education playground updates
• Buder Elementary cafeteria renovation
• Wyland Elementary gymnasium and library renovations
• Ritenour Middle School renovations
• Husky Support Center improvements
• Administrative Center Board of Education Room renovations
• Additional renovations if funds allow

Other

• Moving Certificates of Participation from the operating fund to the debt service fund

Funds from a bond issue cannot pay for salaries, benefits, supplies, utilities, or other operating costs.  Voters last approved a zero rate change bond issue in 2020 for $19.5 million.

Proposition N

Proposition N would allow the district to transfer 15 cents of existing tax revenue from the debt service fund to the operating fund in 2027 and again in 2030. Prop N requires a simple majority for passage.

Due to conservative and responsible financial management by the district, those tax dollars can instead be used to support day-to-day operating expenses such as teacher salaries, classroom supplies and student services. The measure would not increase taxes; it would simply reallocate existing tax revenue. If approved, Proposition N would provide approximately $1.4 million annually for district operations starting in 2027, with an additional estimated $1.5 million starting in 2030. 

"Approval of Propositions I and N would allow us to maintain our aging facilities while continuing to invest in the students and staff who learn and work in them every day," Kilbride said. "These measures will help ensure Ritenour remains financially strong, and keep our schools safe and well maintained. Ritenour schools have always been the foundation of our community. "