Failed Mid-Del School District Bond Would Have Built New Schools

Adrianna Iwasinski, News 9

DEL CITY, Oklahoma -- A multimillion dollar issue that would have built four new elementary schools and expanded two middle schools in the Med Del School district has failed. The bond needed 60 percent of the vote to pass, but only 59.6 percent of voters voted "yes."

Reaction to the bond's failure to pass was mixed. Some called it a travesty. Some who did not vote said now they wish they had. Still some want a recount. But then there are others that are glad it did not pass.

Despite the different opinions, the Mid Del school district is going to have to come up with another way to pay for any improvements and some are worried it will come at the expense of teacher jobs.

The $191 million bond issue would have closed down four elementary schools; Highland Park, Sooner Rose, Steed and Traub. It would have also closed down two middle schools; Jarmon and Kerr. Students at all six schools would then have been sent to neighboring schools or to one of the new schools that would have been built with the money. One of the schools that was going to be rebuilt was Townsend Elementary. The other was Soldier Elementary School.

The district issued the following statement in response to Tuesday night's election results:

"The patrons of the Mid-Del Public Schools have clearly stated that their preference is to maintain existing facilities and therefore require the district to reduce expenditures through other means…their options are extremely limited since 90 percent of the district's current expenses are directly tied to people."

A district spokesperson said they haven't decided yet if they will ask for a recount of the votes.