Edmond Sun - 01/30/2019
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019
$93 million bond issue going to voters
BY VAN MITCHELL
SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Voters will head to the
polls Tuesday, Feb. 12 to
decide on a $93 million
bond issue for Edmond
Public Schools to increase
school security, upgrade
and improve school build-
ings, and fund the con-
struction of classroom
additions and new
schools.
Nearly $40 million of the
bond issue would be used
to purchase land and fund
the construction of two
elementary schools.
“The crux of this bond
issue is two elementary
schools,” said
Superintendent Bret
Towne. “One is on the east
side of the school district
and east of I-35. Another
school is located in the
southwest quadrant to
handle the growth we are
seeing in that area around
Quail Springs and
Portland.
“Many of our elemen-
tary schools are full and
we have had to bring in
portable buildings in order
to have adequate space for
the students. The con-
struction of numerous
apartment complexes in
the southwest quadrant of
our district and large
housing additions east of
I-35 necessitates building
new schools in these areas
to accommodate for the
growth in our elementary
student population.”
The district has already
purchased land at Douglas
Copyright (c)2019 Edmond Sun, Edition 01/30/2019
January 31, 2019 9:09 am (GMT +6:00)
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THE EDMOND SUN
PROGRESS: SCHOOLS | 9
and Coffee Creek for an
elementary school.
Towne said the district
would like to build anoth-
er elementary school in
the far southwest quad-
rant of the district in the
Quail Springs Mall area.
“The student population
of our secondary schools
has not grown at the same
rate as it has in our ele-
mentary schools,” Towne
said. “We believe the dis-
trict’s focus should be on
alleviating the congestion
in our larger elementary
schools, several of which
now have between 900-
1,000 students.”
Other updates and
improvements in the 2019
bond proposal include
$3.7 million for enhanced
safety features at schools. PATTY MILLER | THE EDMOND SUN
Last spring the district Edmond Superintendent of Schools Bret Towne promotes the upcoming 2019 Bond Issue to the Boulevard
formed a committee com- Academy faculty. Between Jan. 7 and Feb. 8, 65 presentations were made to faculty members, business owners,
prised of staff, students, and Edmond residents promoting the $93 million bond issue to be voted on Feb. 12.
parents, community
members, law enforce- approach school build- The breakdown of the tions, instructional equip- improvements,” Towne
ment, and federal officials ings,” Towne said. “We Feb. 12 bond issue is as ment/materials, mainte- said.
to review the district’s cur- want to take every meas- follows: nance and school support HVAC: Improve HVAC
rent security procedures ure to protect students PROPOSITION 1 IS vehicles, grounds equip- systems at Angie Debo
and practices. and staff.” $90,700,000 FOR ment, wood shop equip- Elementary School, and
“Among the immediate Absent from this year’s TECHNOLOGY – SCHOOL ment, and tennis center Charles Haskell
improvements, the com- bond proposal is a request SECURITY- SCHOOL furnishings. $7.9 million. Elementary and Summit
mittee recommended is for funds to build a fourth EQUIPMENT School Security: Middle School
implementing the use of high school. Technology: Purchase Improve and upgrade Gymnasiums. $2 million.
student/staff photo ID “We are still adjusting to and install computers, dig- security as needed to Transportation:
cards at all secondary the redistricting four years ital devices, software, wire- include but not be limited Construct access road,
schools which would be ago and we continue to less networking equip- to electronic security and fueling station, and addi-
used for card-swipe access hear that Oakdale is con- ment, phone systems, and door control devices, shat- tional bus parking at the
to buildings, installing sidering going K-12,” technology support servic- ter-resistant glass film, stu- district transportation
more video/audio buzz-in Towne said. “If that hap- es. $10 million. dent/staff photo ID facility. $2 million.
systems for patrons and pens Memorial would lose School Equipment: badges, and card reader Roofing: Replace roofs
visitors, and installing around 300 students so it Purchase fine arts and ath- systems, and video sur- of Cimarron Middle
more video cameras on wouldn’t be prudent to letic equipment for sec- veillance camera systems. School and Washington
the exterior entries of build a high school. We are ondary schools, $3.7 million. Irving Elementary School.
schools to display images in wait and see mode on library/media center “Every school will be
of individuals who that.” books, software subscrip- touched by school security SEE SCHOOLS | 10
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10 | PROGRESS: SCHOOLS THE EDMOND SUN WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

SCHOOLS: Proposition 2 to purchase new transportation vehicles

FROM PAGE 9

$1.9 million.
Parking Lots/Roads:
Construct, resurface
and/or modify existing
parking lots and access
roads at North High
School, John Ross
Elementary, and Sunset
Elementary School.
$1,550,000.
Flooring: Replace floor-
ing as needed at Cimarron
Middle School, Northern
Hills Elementary School,
Russell Dougherty
Elementary School, Clyde
Howell Early Childhood
Center, and Orvis Risner
Elementary School.
$800,000.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: needed. $3.5 million. Construct Upgrade auditorium stage, “The timing of bond
Construct Elementary Cross Timbers classrooms/storm shelter. lights, and sound system. sales will coincide with the
School East of I-35: Elementary School: $2.7 million. $1.3 million. retirement of existing
Construct Phase 1 of an Construct a STEM room Cheyenne Middle Boulevard Academy: bonds to support the dis-
elementary school at S.E. and multi-purpose School: Construct a prac- Renovate gymnasium. trict’s objective of sustain-
corner of the intersection room/storm shelter. $3 tice gymnasium. $2.1mil- $400,000. ing a stable millage rate,”
of Douglas and Coffee million. lion. he said.
Creek. $18 million. Heritage Elementary PROPOSITION NO. 2 IS All registered voters who
Construct Elementary School: Construct class- HIGH SCHOOLS: $2.3 MILLION live within Edmond Public
School Southwest Corner room addition/storm shel- Memorial High School: Transportation Vehicles: School district boundaries
of the District: Construct ter. $2,850,000. Improve and secure front Purchase small and large qualify to vote including
Phase I of elementary Will Rogers Elementary: entrance, add offices and buses and high capacity those residents who live
school located in the Construct multi-purpose classrooms, upgrade audi- sport utility vehicles. outside the city limits of
Southwest quadrant of the room/storm shelter. $1.5 torium stage, lights and Towne said passage of Edmond. Polls open at 7
district. $17.6 million. million. sound system. $3.1 mil- the bond issue is not a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Purchase Land: Buy lion. planned to raise home- “This is a community
land for the site of new MIDDLE SCHOOLS: Santa Fe High School: owner’s taxes. The district that is invested in educa-
Southwest Elementary Heartland Middle Upgrade auditorium stage, has planned this bond tion,” Towne said. “People
School and purchase School: Construct class- lights and sound system. issue to keep the millage see that education is an
properties to expand rooms. $3.5 million. $1.3 million. level between 24 and 25 investment rather than
selected school sites as Summit Middle School: North High School: mills. just an expense.”

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