A $97 million bond measure to fund repairs and maintenance in the Redmond School District was passing by a slim margin as of Wednesday morning, according to preliminary election results.

The measure was leading 52.3% to 47.7%.

Redmond School District is hoping to use some of the funding to repair the failing heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Redmond High School, as well as work on the roof. Asbestos abatement would also be a part of the HVAC work. Overall, the HVAC and roof work is estimated to cost $19 million, said Superintendent Charan Cline.

The hydronic system, which heats the school through hot water pipes, would be replaced. Pipes throughout the school are crumbling, with the pipes, valves and fittings wearing out. The boiler is run all day, every day, because if it is shut off, the pipes will shrink and cause more leaks.

The district would bring in portable classrooms, which would be paid for by the bond revenues, so classes could continue at Redmond High while the work was being done. It would take at least a year for the work to be planned out.

The bond would not raise tax rates, because it would replace a bond that expired in June. It would maintain the current tax rate of $2.26 per $1,000 of taxable assessed property value. For the average homeowner in the district, this translates to $42.67 per month or $512.04 per year.

Redmond High would also expand the career and technical education spaces and remodel several school areas, including the band and choir spaces, the gymnasium and kitchen, among others. Overall, around 40% of the bond’s revenues would go into Redmond High.

The district also plans to use the money for xeriscaping — or low-water landscaping — at several sites, updated security measures, energy efficiency work and new fire alarm systems across the district. After parent requests, the district would also plan to expand Tumalo Community School to a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school.

Every school would have work done with the bond funding.

Cline estimated there are $300 million worth of repair projects in the district. A bond oversight committee would be formed to oversee the use of bond funding.

The $27.5 million 2020 bond paid for work at several schools, including roof replacement and installing secure entries.

Previous bond measures paid for the building of Sage Elementary, Elton Gregory Middle and Ridgeview High schools.

Voters to decide on $97 million bond measure for Redmond School District