School bond issue critical to continued excellence

(Published Sunday, May 6, 2007 in Examiner-Enterprise)

On Tuesday, school district patrons will have an opportunity to vote to improve our school facilities.

All of the bonds for the popular 2001 bond issue have been sold. It is now time to vote to continue the progress we have made on our facilities. The Bartlesville Public School District is noted throughout the state for its excellence in academics, athletics and fine arts. Our school district has always excelled academically. Our students perform extremely well on all state testing. Our Academic Performance Index has improved every year it has been measured. Our high school boasts that more than 220 students have been National Merit Semifinalists since 1982. Our athletic program has been highly successful over the years, winning numerous state championships. Our fine arts program has been considered one of the best in the state over the course of time.

By almost all measures, our school district has been considered one of excellence. This has been a source of pride for Bartians over the years.

The projects from the 2001 Bond Issue – passed by school patrons by a 72 percent majority of voters – have built on the excellence in our school district. That bond issue has revitalized our historic and unique high school. The Science Wing has provided some of the most outstanding instructional space of any high school in the state. Our award-winning science teachers are able to provide quality instruction to some of the finest science students in the state. The new award-winning Fine Arts Center not only has one of the best high school auditoriums in the state, the classrooms provide the best possible environment for our outstanding teachers to instruct our students in the arts. The new Bartlesville High School Fieldhouse (also award-winning) provides one of the best facilities for high school athletics in the state of Oklahoma . The Library/Media Center, being constructed in the old auditorium, is going to be equally impressive. The new Connecting Link and the renovation of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system – presently under construction – should provide an improved environment for students.

The proposed bond issue is focused on providing renovated and improved instructional space and allowing for student growth the district is beginning to experience. The district will renovate two of our oldest elementary facilities at Wayside and Ranch Heights . Rather than considering building a new elementary school at this time, the district will build additions of six or eight classrooms on the three elementary schools in our expected high growth areas of Wayside, Ranch Heights and Wilson . In addition, seven classrooms will be added at the Mid-High School to move more classes from portables into the main building and reduce congestion.

In addition to the major projects, there will be upgrades in several areas that will improve instruction and student activities. Technology will be replaced and enhanced with this bond issue. Fine arts programs will be enhanced by providing funds for band instruments and uniforms. Athletics will be addressed by providing a multi-purpose indoor activity center for our student athletes in many sports to be able to practice in inclement weather.

The district will also improve the locker area for our football team. Several of the district's aging buses will be replaced. A wide assortment of minor capital projects will be addressed at every school throughout the school district. These items include renovation of restrooms, replacing roofs, replacing carpeting, replacing chillers and boilers in the HVAC systems, and improving efficiency by installing energy management systems on our HVAC equipment.

This bond issue is a good plan that was created by a committee of 30 citizens and educators – chaired by State Representative Earl Sears. The Long Range Facilities Planning Committee examined all of the district needs and prioritized down to the items on the bond. These items address our most pressing facilities and other major needs at this time.