VOTERS APPROVE HISTORIC BOND ISSUE FOR OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Voters in the Oklahoma City Public Schools District overwhelmingly approved the biggest school bond in the district’s history Nov. 8. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber led the “Invest in Our Future” campaign to pass the school bond, along with other public and private partners. The $955-million bond will enable the school district to provide much- needed resources to improve buildings, technology, transportation and sorely needed capital improvement projects. The average age of a school in the district is 72 years. Nine of those schools are about 100 years old. The bond was split into two separate propositions. The first proposition, which featured the bulk of the funding, passed with 64% of the vote. The second proposition was centered around improving the bus fleet. It passed with 62% of the vote. “First and foremost, you have to thank the voters for sending a message that investment in our schools is critical to building the community we all want,” said Roy Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, which spearheaded the “Invest in our Future” campaign. “It takes 60% of the vote to pass school bonds in our state. That is an incredibly high barrier to cross for anything and passage can never be taken for granted. Time and time again voters in Oklahoma City continue to move our community forward.” The bond will help keep OKCPS’ mill levy competitive with its peers in the surrounding districts. The district’s enrollment grew by more than 2,000 this school year. The bond will also include funding for flexible workspace at many schools that will be used for workforce and skills training for students. “The investment the leadership at the district is making into skills training is very exciting and forward- thinking,” said Williams. “The passage of this bond will make sure students in the district are more college or career ready after graduating. Making this kind of
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