District Saves Taxpayers Millions
The bonds that helped fund Willamette’s new science building have been refinanced, saving Bethel taxpayers millions over the life of the bonds.
Bethel School District is saving residents nearly $2 million in taxes by refinancing its bonds.
These are the bonds that were used to build Malabon and Fairfield elementary schools, and Willamette’s Science building.
Similar to restructuring the mortgage on a home, refinancing at lower interest rates means the bonds can be paid off quicker and cost less on interest over the long-term.
Bethel School District has a history of seeking to reduce the tax burden on its residents. Similar restructuring saved Bethel taxpayers $1.5 million in 2011 and $780,000 in 2016.
The current school tax rate for Bethel residents is about 40% lower than what it was 10 years ago.
Reminder About Snow Days & Late Starts
There are a variety of reliable sources to determine whether Bethel School District’s schedule has been changed due to weather.
There are multiple sources to determine whether Bethel School District is on a Late Start or is having a Snow Day.
First and foremost, check here on our District home page or the home page of any Bethel school. (Make sure it’s our Bethel School District, not the one in Washington state.)
If you see no news, it means all Bethel schools are on their regular schedules.
In addition, you can be the first to get news on weather-related school closures or delays by following Superintendent Chris Parra on Twitter at @Bethel_Supt and the District Twitter account at @Bethel_Schools.
Families are also encouraged to use the free FlashAlert system which provides notifications via email or a push notification with a free FlashAlert phone app. FlashAlert is the same system the school district uses to notify local media when there is a weather or emergency-related closure of a school.
Download the FlashAlert app or click here: http://www.flashalert.net/id/BethelSD
Melodrama For All To See
The cast and crew for Willamette’s fall play rehearsed two months for this week’s performances.
After two months of rehearsals, Willamette’s fall play is ready to take the stage with performances of Miss Bunny Bunting’s Bonafide Belles or The Trail of the Tenebrous Tiara!
It will feature a daring damsel, a helpful hero, a harried headmistress, and the vilest of villains.
Opening night is tonight (Thursday), and two more performances are set for Friday and Saturday.
The doors at Willamette’s auditorium open at 6:30, and the show starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the door: $4 for staff/students and $6 for general admission. Kids 6 and under are free.
Band On The Rise
Taking the stage in front of hundreds of school board members and school officials, the Meadow View Jazz Band received a standing ovation at the state school boards convention.
The Meadow View Jazz Band received a standing ovation for its performance at the Oregon School Boards Association state convention in Portland.
Honored by the selection to play before hundreds of school board members and superintendents from throughout Oregon, the Meadow View students impressed the audience with five numbers.
Band Director Josh Dillow applied back in the spring to play at the OSBA conference.
The Meadow View band has been rapidly improving, as evidenced by their 3rd place finish at the NW Jazz Festival at Mt. Hood Community College in May, and their recent invitation to play at the Oregon Music Educators Association convention in January.