Bartlesville High School Fine Arts students returned to the 2004-2005 school year to the premier Fine Arts Facility for Oklahoma public school districts. This $8.8 million facility is truly the result of overwhelming community support for Bartlesville Public Schools and will benefit our students for years to come. Without question, the $1 million donation by the Bartlesville Public School Foundation brought this facility to a level of excellence that was previously unattainable due to budget constraints. In fact, this generous donation enabled the district to add the entire west wing of the facility, adding orchestra, visual arts and computer classrooms and labs.

The BHS Fine Arts Center has been a long time coming. Four years ago, a survey of Bartlesville citizens showed overwhelming support for improvements at Bartlesville High School. That set in motion a proposal for a $30.5 million 10-year bond—the largest in our community's history. Due to the size of the bond and number of projects, the construction projects were divided into four phases. The first phase, completed in August 2001, brought new athletic practice fields and improved parking to the high school. Phase two entailed a new science wing, completed last fall, and the Fine Arts Center, completed this summer. Phase three is fully underway, as bids are now being accepted for a new 2200-seat Field House. The Media Center will go to bid next month.

The final phase includes a renovation of the present high school facility. Along with these major projects at the high school, several projects have been completed throughout the district. The bond issue also included funds each year for major maintenance projects, replacing technology and replacing outdated school buses.

The meticulous design of the BHS Fine Arts Center ensured each classroom is equipped to meet the needs of the specific discipline taught. For example, music rooms have excellent acoustics, high ceilings, carpeted floors, beveled walls, and curtains to enhance the sound of practices. Drama students enjoy state-of-the-art stagecraft technology in their unique classroom. Art students have ample space to accommodate the different art mediums including a kiln, incoming glaze bin, and large easel areas. In addition, each room is equipped with LCD projectors, Internet capabilities and an intercom system.

However, truly the gemstone of this facility is its 1,200-seat auditorium. This beautiful room has already hosted our Back to School rally for teachers and staff, GED commencement, Back to School Night for High School parents and music booster club events. As these guests entered the facility they were impressed with the beautiful structure now a part of Bartlesville High School. Pictured at left, is the first entire student body assembly held in an auditorium at BHS in more than 20 years. The old auditorium could not accommodate the student body and students were unable to meet together.