Voters to decide school board posts in Broken Arrow, Berryhill, Liberty; bonds for Jenks and Union
BY KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer
Sunday, February 10, 2013
2/10/13 at 4:52 AM
Suburban school board posts in Berryhill, Broken Arrow and Liberty will be up for grabs in Tuesday's election, while Jenks and Union voters will decide school district bond issues.
In Broken Arrow, Theresa Williamson and John Cockrell will vie for Office 3, a four-year term previously held by Shari Wilkins. She decided not to run for re-election.
Liberty voters will decide between Brad Post and Chet Cottom for Liberty's Office 3, which has a five-year term.
In Berryhill, F. Darren Francisco, Doc Geiger and Sandra Pirtle are seeking Office 3, a five-year term. Pirtle is the incumbent.
If no candidate receives more than half the votes, the two candidates with the most votes will meet in a second election April 2.
Voters in Jenks will be asked to approve an $11.5 million bond issue for the purchase of textbooks, school buses, classroom renovations, safety equipment and more.
If approved, the money would go to maintain campus buildings and equipment, including the purchase of more interactive white boards, copiers, and computer hardware and software.
It would also be used to purchase library books, database subscriptions and furnishings for media centers at various schools.
The Union school district is asking voters to approve a $20.4 million bond proposal to expand and remodel the 6th and 7th Grade Center, replace the track at the high school and other projects.
An estimated $5.7 million would be spent to increase classroom space at the 6th and 7th Grade Center through an expansion, as well as remodel the facility's exterior.
That includes completing the fine arts wing and purchasing furniture, fixtures and equipment, and constructing parking lots, driveways and sidewalks.
An additional $4.2 million would let the district replace its track, install a turf infield and pole vault pit at the track, and renovate locker rooms, weight rooms, restrooms, offices, concession areas, bleachers, fencing and the press box at the field.
School officials said $1.4 million would be used to buy computers and software required for the state's latest testing mandates.
State law requires approval by 60 percent of voters for a bond issues to pass.
The bond issues don't raise property taxes because school districts pay off existing bonds as new ones are added, officials said.
Original Print Headline: School issues will be on ballot
Kim Archer 918-581-8315
kim.archer@tulsaworld.com
