Several schools issues weigh heavily
BY World's Editorials Writers
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
2/12/13 at 8:00 AM
Two important school bond issues are on the ballot Tuesday. 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.
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 through an expansion, as well as remodel the facility's exterior.
An additional $4.2 million would let the district make a number of athletic facility improvements. Another $1.4 million would be used to buy computers and software required by the state's latest testing mandates.
The capital improvements are much-needed by two of the state's largest school districts. In Oklahoma, school bond issues need 60 percent approval by voters to pass. That often is a high hurdle in notoriously low-turnout elections. This means that a built-in "no" vote, which is present in every election, easily could tip a school-bond election.
Given the funding cuts to public education in the past five years, these kinds of capital projects can't be done without bond issues. This means bond votes are extremely important to districts.
The bond issues won't raise property taxes because school districts pay off existing bonds as new ones are added.
If you live in the Jenks or Union school districts take time to vote Tuesday. Only a few votes often have monumental consequences.
Original Print Headline: Vote today
