April 1, 2021
Vol. 21, No. 46
In This Issue FOUR SEASONS
A $65 million school issue on May ballot
Four Seasons, by Kevin Box, in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the UCO campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information, see page 4.
UCO football returns See page 5
Renderings by the Stacy Group, LWPB Architecture and JHBR Architecure
FRIDAY, April 2
Mostly Sunny High 67° Low 49°
SATURDAY, April 3 Sunny High 75° Low 53°
SUNDAY, April 4
Partly Cloudy High 77° Low 59°
Passage of May 11, 2021, Edmond Public Schools bond issue would fund the construction of a freshman academy classroom addition at Edmond Memorial High School, the renovation of the Edmond North High School Siberian Gym and construction of a classroom addition and renovations to the freshman academy at Edmond Santa Fe High School. Bond funds would also pay for the construction of a new media center at Cross Timbers Elementary School. Passage of the bond is not expected to raise taxes The Edmond Board of Education voted at its March board meeting to bring before patrons a $65 million bond issue on Tuesday, May 11, to fund school additions, purchase land for future schools and make repairs and upgrades to existing facilities. “In constructing this bond proposal we were mindful of balancing the considerable needs of our older schools with the immediate needs of those schools which have experienced steady growth in student population,” said Superintendent Bret Towne. Five and a half million of the bond issue would be earmarked to update the cabinets, doors, restrooms, ceilings, and lighting at nine elementary schools…fixtures original to their sites. New roofing, flooring, and HVAC systems at several school sites are also part of the bond proposal
as is constructing and/or resurfacing parking lots at numerous schools. “Keeping our schools updated positively impacts the learning environment for students and improves the culture and climate of our schools,” noted Towne. The bond issue includes $3 million to construct a new media center at Cross Timbers Elementary and renovate the old media center into classrooms. Other noteworthy construction projects include more than $3 million for a classroom addition at Santa Fe High School, $3.2 million to construct a freshman academy classroom addition and renovate the industrial arts building at Edmond Memorial High School, and $1.4 million to construct a new building for Ag Engineering and Mechanics. “As we continue to grow, we must add new classrooms to accom-
modate the expected increase in student population,” noted Towne. Two new schools being built by the district, Redbud Elementary and Scissortail Elementary are expected to open at capacity. Included in this bond proposal is $8 million for classroom additions to both schools, which are scheduled to open in 2021 and 2022 respectively. “By approving this bond proposal, voters will help to ensure that the district can plan for future additions to these schools that are located in fast-growing areas,” said Towne. Passage of the bond issue is not planned to raise homeowner’s taxes. The district has planned this bond issue to keep the millage level stable at between 24 and 25 mills. The timing of bond sales will coincide with the retirement of existing continued on Page 3