ENID, Okla. — Enid Public Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday night, Jan. 16, 2024, to call a special election for April 2 for patrons to vote on a series of $1.2 million bonds to pay for technology, security and transportation needs.
The bonds would be issued yearly for the next nine years. The total $10.8 million bond issue would include yearly amounts of $700,000 targeted for technology, $200,000 for security and $300,000 for transportation.
A bond committee has been studying the proposal since last fall, including having open meetings for the public. EPS has asked for input from local leaders, the community and parents.
Enid resident and attorney Tim DeClerck has been one of the community liaisons working on the bond issue. He was present at the meeting Tuesday.
“We need these things for our kids,” DeClerck said. “We want our kids to be safe in our school and on the roads.”
EPS received more than 300 responses in the form of a survey seeking comments from members of the community.
The board also voted Tuesday to move forward with hiring architects for the design of a new Eisenhower Elementary School at Vance Air Force Base. EPS entered into an agreement with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation for obtaining an architectural design from the local firm Corbin, Merz, Haney Architects at a cost of $1.2 million.
The Department of Defense will pick up 80% of the costs of the project, with EPS responsible for the other 20%. After the split is factored, EPS’ cost for the architects is $240,000.
The Defense Department wants to replace Eisenhower with a new school at an estimated cost of $30 million, with EPS’ share at about $6 million.
So far, EPS has picked up $540,000 from Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission for the project.
Superintendent Dudley Darrow said he is optimistic about the project moving forward.
“We recently had a very productive meeting with city leaders, military leaders and our liaison Michael Cooper,” Darrow said.
There was a well-attended Zoom meeting with Defense Department officials in Washington, he said, and it was the first time a sizable group of community leaders have gotten together to discuss the project.
“It was very positive and encouraging,” Darrow said.
Board members also discussed a joint facility use agreement between EPS and Northern Oklahoma College Enid for use of Failing Field and the NOC Northern Hills golf course for use by the EPS cross country team and other activities.
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