Thanks to Salem-Keizer voters in 1998, a $177.1 million construction bond was approved. With the guidance of a community-run Bond Steering Committee, Salem-Keizer built 10 new schools and did renovations and repairs on almost all other schools.
1998 Construction Bond includes:
- One new high school – West Salem High School
- One new middle school – Claggett Creek in Keizer
- Eight new elementary schools – Forest Ridge, Hallman, Hammond, Harritt, Lamb, Lee, Miller and Weddle. Plus, additional classrooms added to several schools totalling 152 new elementary classrooms in Salem and Keizer.
- Electrical and cabling upgrades
- Short-term overcrowding
- Modernizations of classrooms
- Improvements in security
- Building changes due to ADA (Americans with Dissabilities) guidelines
- Fire and safety codes
- Increased capacity for alternative programs
The 1998 Construction Bond projects were completed on time and under budget.

