MOORE, Oklahoma -
A big school bond
election will take place Tuesday in Moore.
The 5-year, $127
million bond package is the biggest in Moore district history. It's a $127
million bond, meaning taxes would go up about $12 a year for a $100,000 home.
Three new schools
and renovations across the district are on the list of bond issues voters will be
asked to approve next week. An evaluation of security needs at every school is
also part of the bond package.
District leaders
are trying to keep up with the growth rate in Moore Public Schools. They added
nearly 650 students this year, about the size of an elementary school.
"It's a very
exciting time to be part of this community," Moore Superintendent Susan Pierce says,
"our economic development in this community is growing by leaps and bounds."
To ease the
overcrowding, the district wants to build three new schools: two elementary
schools and one more junior high. On Tuesday, voters will decide on two
propositions.
The smaller of the
two is about $4.2 million, going toward school buses and other transportation. The
bigger proposition will cost $122 million. That includes construction for the
new schools, renovations to existing ones, new technology and land for future
building projects. It will also fund security enhancements across the district.
"The three new
schools on the bond proposal actually have hallways that lock down after
students enter the school grounds," Pierce said.
The district will
analyze security at all the existing schools, and plan to add more security
cameras.
"This bond is a
reflection of what's going on in our community. We're growing fast, we're
growing strong, and this bond issue is necessary to keep up with that growth,"
Pierce said.
Moore Public
Schools is the third largest school district in our state with 23,000 students.
Tuesday's school bond will need at least 60% of the vote to pass.
The 5-year, $127 million bond package is the biggest in Moore district history.
