Edmond bond, board elections set Tuesday
On Tuesday, Edmond Public Schools administrators will ask voters to do what they’ve done 57 consecutive times since 1959: approve a school bond proposal.
The bond package totals $111 million and affects all campuses in the 24,400-student district. While every school will benefit, more than half the package will be for the three high schools: Edmond North, Edmond Memorial and Edmond Santa Fe.
Campuses at North and Memorial would get stadium upgrades, such as a recent one done at Santa Fe. The upgrades are so schools can host varsity football games. Dozens of other activities, such as junior varsity games and other sports, are also held at stadiums.
Administrators do not expect the bond issue to raise property taxes, due to growth in property valuations and retirement of other outstanding bonds. They have made more than 70 presentations to various groups and clubs urging approval of the bond package.
The bond proposal, requiring 60 percent voter approval, is supported by the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber president and CEO Sherry Jordan called the success of the schools a “significant factor in our ability to recruit businesses to locate in Edmond.”
The proposal will appear on the ballot in two propositions, with $109.1 million in Proposition No. 1 for various improvements in the district. Transportation needs of $1.9 million are part of Proposition No. 2. State law mandates transportation needs be put in a separate proposition.
The bond proposal won’t be the only issue on the ballot for some Edmond School voters.
Three-term incumbent Kathleen Duncan is challenged for the District No. 2 seat by Chad Mullen. The seat includes neighborhoods in the western section of the district including Danforth Farms, Fenwick and Mulholland. Only voters in District 2 can cast ballots.
Duncan was a teacher and middle and high school counselor in Tulsa and Tecumseh before earning a law degree at the University of Oklahoma. She was an assistant district attorney in Oklahoma County before retiring.
Mullen is director of government relations and strategic initiatives for the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology. He leads the agency’s strategic initiatives and oversees the agency’s STEM enrichment programs.
Mullen has a daughter attending elementary school in Edmond. Duncan had three children attend Edmond Schools.
The winner will serve a five-year term on the five-member board.