Published: December 08, 2007 11:59 pm            

School officials: Bond issue continuation of plan

School administrators and those close to the campaign for Tuesday’s Enid Public Schools bond issue have called the measures a continuation of a long-range plan and have vowed to fulfill promises made in 2003.

“We have a lot left to do,” Superintendent Kem Keithly said.

Enid Public Schools’ voters passed a school bond issue and city sales tax measure in February 2003 providing millions in improvements and renovations to every school site in the district. Other Garfield County schools that have boundaries touching Enid city limits also received a portion of the sales tax proceeds.

In all, about $14 million of the bond issue money was secured to fund improvements at buildings. Only a portion of that has been spent, as construction and renovations occur at multiple sites on a phased plan. Plans to renovate all the schools promised still remain on the list, and funding from 2003 has been set aside.

School districts sell bonds in phases to keep property tax rates lower and because the district can only incur so much bonded indebtedness at a time.



Where has the money gone?



Improvements under the 2003 measures continue as secured funds become available.

But some school patrons have continued to question — in the form of letters to the editor and in Internet forums — where the 2003 money has been spent and why some schools haven’t yet seen work. There has not been any organized opposition.

Todd Earl, chairman for the 2003 election and the current measures on Tuesday’s ballot, has answered many of those questions during informational forums and meetings over the last several weeks.

“We’re 7 percent over budget,” Earl said last week of the 2003 bond issue project status. “Seven percent is an outstanding record for stewardship and accountability.”

Earl said the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes contributed to rising construction costs. Skyrocketing fuel prices also contribute to higher building costs.

He said an independent financial assessment has been made to account for every dollar spent.

“Every penny has gone into the improvements,” he said.

He also said a bond oversight committee, made up of school patrons, employees and school administrators, has made sure funds have been used wisely.



What the future holds



Earl said the school district plans to form another committee if Tuesday’s $11.5 million measures garner 60 percent of the voters’ approval.

Keithly said improvements and renovations across the district contribute to savings in maintenance and utility costs. Better windows provide better insulation and reduce heating and cooling costs.

A second proposition on Tuesday’s ballot is asking voters for $600,000 in transportation equipment. If approved, new buses help reduce vehicle maintenance costs.



Still crunching numbers



Although the renovations to school buildings are deemed necessary, they won’t get the district out of any future budget crises because bond issue funds, by law, can only be used for what they are designated on an election ballot.

Several times in the last few years, school districts across the state have seen reductions in allocations of state aid and partial funding of state mandates. Just this year, Enid Public Schools eliminated more than 22 positions after lawmakers omitted funding for taxes and other costs related to the state-mandated $3,000 teacher pay raises. While schools received supplemental appropriations, it wasn’t enough to offset about a $1.6 million shortfall for EPS.