Edmond chamber supports $111 million school bond question
EDMOND — The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors, citing the importance of public education to Edmond, has unanimously endorsed the Feb. 14 Edmond Public Schools bond proposal.
“The 2017 bond election has been carefully constructed to meet the needs of our growing district and allow for every school in the district to benefit either by receiving new educational materials, building upgrades and additions, or safety and technology improvements,” said Superintendent Bret Towne.
The district’s three high schools would benefit from more than half of the $111 million bond issue. Among the projects at Edmond North and Edmond Memorial high schools would be upgrades to football stadiums to accommodate varsity games and larger crowds.
While the stadiums are the big ticket items, the bond issue would also fulfill the district goal of FEMA-approved storm shelters on every campus. The safe rooms will double as media centers, band rooms or classrooms.
Passage of the bond issue is not expected to raise homeowners’ taxes due to projected growth in the district’s property valuation and the retirement of outstanding bonds.
All registered voters who live within the school district are qualified to vote, including those who live outside the city limits of Edmond.
The district has 24,000 students and 2,800 employees and is growing by about 500 students a year.
For more information, go online to www. edmondschools.net/ district/2017-bond-issue.