The Bend La Pine School Board unanimously approved moving forward with their proposed $98-million bond to build new schools and improve existing schools.

Superintendent Ron Wilkinson says now the hard work begins:  “The next steps are to begin to organize our citizens committee that has supported the bonds in the past. I know they're planning to get reorganized and prepared for advocacy for the bond. And my role is to try to get as much information out into the community and we'll be working over the next several months to get some facts sheets and information sheets available to we can share with the folks wherever they are in the community."

Wilkinson says the district has worked very hard to manage their budget and reduce debt, to show the community that they are responsible with their money.

They are hoping to get the bond proposal on the May 2013 ballot.