$147 million Oklahoma school bond proposal approved

Voters in Edmond, Oklahoma, approved a $147 million bond to build schools, upgrade technology, improve infrastructure and enhance transportation. Edmond Public Schools (EPS) held the bond election Feb. 13. Edmond is located 15 miles north of Oklahoma City.

Proposition 1 will provide $144 million for a series of major EPS projects. The district will use $56 million to build, equip and furnish an elementary school and a middle school. EPS will build the facilities on district-owned land. In addition, the district will use $18 million to build a Freshman Academy at Edmond Santa Fe High School and allocate $3.5 million for a Transition Academy Building for special needs students from ages 18 to 21.

The bond allocated $14.3 million to improve technology across the district. This includes buying and installing computers, digital devices, computer software, technology-related equipment, wireless networking equipment and other forms of technology to support education initiatives. The district will use an additional $11.7 million to buy school equipment for instruction needs, fine arts, athletics, child nutrition, maintenance and library/media center books.

EPS will leverage $8.7 million to acquire and improve HVAC units districtwide. The district will install HVAC-related equipment as needed and as funds allow. In addition, the bond allocated $4.7 million for improving and upgrading roofing, classroom furniture, playgrounds, flooring and lighting.

The district will use $9.7 million to build additional classrooms and improve buildings at Scissortail and Sunset elementary schools and Boulevard Academy. Plans also include $5.1 million to renovate and improve the John Ross Elementary School media center, build a safe room at the Edmond Early Childhood Center and upgrade Clegern Elementary School’s media center and main entrance. An additional $3.5 million will help improve and renovate offices, restrooms and classrooms at Orvis Risner and Charles Haskell elementary schools.

EPS will use $7.5 million to replace the turf for the baseball and softball fields at three district high schools. The district will also use $1 million to install and upgrade video surveillance systems, electronic security and door control devices, fencing, badging and card reader systems. Finally, plans include $350,000 to improve the Mitch Park Aquatic Center’s competition pool area’s HVAC, timing systems and equipment.

Proposition 2 allocated $3 million to buy large and small school buses, large capacity sports utility vehicles and activity buses.

^{Strategic Partnerships, Inc.}^{can provide information on contract opportunities, plus existing and future government funding. For more information, contact}^{research@spartnerships.com}^.