Voters step up for students with passage of bond issue

(Published Sunday, May 13, 2007 in Examiner-Enterprise)

On Tuesday, May 8, voters once again proved their support of students within the Bartlesville Public School District .

With more than 8,600 people casting ballots, the $29.95 million school bond issue proposal passed with nearly 68 percent in favor. As mandated by Oklahoma law, school bond issue proposals need a super majority – 60 percent or greater – to pass.

With this school bond issue – the first proposed within the district since 2001 – we'll see additions made to three elementary schools – Ranch Heights , Wayside and Woodrow Wilson – as well as the Bartlesville Mid-High. All four buildings are located in growth areas within Bartlesville . To prepare for expanded student populations – the district as a whole has grown in each of the last two school years – we'll add eight classrooms at Ranch Heights , seven at the Mid-High and six apiece at Wayside and Woodrow Wilson. The bond issue will allow us to make upgrades throughout the district in areas such as technology, transportation, fine arts, athletics and curriculum as well.

I would like to take this time to personally thank each and every one of those who supported us and helped us throughout the campaign process for the school bond issue. All of those who offered their assistance did so with great passion for this community and the youth who will eventually play such a great role in its future.

The school bond issue proposal – and its subsequent passage – was the product of much thought, dedication and hard work.

State Rep. Earl Sears served as the chairman of our Long Range Facilities Planning Committee, which helped to formulate the plan for moving the BPSD into the future. The committee targeted the needs of the district and then presented its findings to the Board of Education. On Feb. 19, during a regular meeting, the board passed a motion allowing the $29.95 million school bond issue proposal to go before the public for a vote.

The Committee for City Progress led the “Vote Yes” campaign which helped us pass the school bond issue proposal. The committee was co-chaired by Sherry Musselman Cox, Walter Allison and Scott Bilger. All told, the group was a tremendous asset.

If you're reading this, there's a good chance that you got a phone call from a volunteer – perhaps even myself – reminding you to vote in the days leading up to the election. For eight nights, a dedicated group called citizens to spread the word. Dozens of parents, teachers, administrators and other volunteers gave up their free time for a cause in which they strongly believed. Sara Pannell facilitated the use of the facility and its phones and we owe her as well as her employers a debt of gratitude.

If you didn't get a phone call, then perhaps you had had some information left on your doorknob concerning the election. Or, maybe you supported the cause by displaying a sign in your yard or attending a meeting or presentation.

Some perhaps studied up on the issues by reading an article, watching a telecast or listening to a radio program. Our community relations coordinator, David Austin, did a tremendous job of providing insightful articles and information to the community.

In all, I'm very thankful to all of those who contributed to the process – including, of course, the voters. There's an old African proverb which mentions the fact that it takes a village to raise a child. In Bartlesville , there is a wide array of citizens who work tirelessly to raise the youth of this community to new heights.