Today’s elections feature school bond issues, school board and city council seats

The polls open at 7 a.m. today for Southwest residents who are deciding school bond issues, school board races and city council seats.

The only election in Comanche County involves those in the Central High Public Schools District, a district that also affects Stephens and Grady counties. Voters are being asked to support a $6.16 million bond issue. Approval will allow the district to create a complex to house new agriculture science classroom, meat lab with a walk-in cooler, agriculture mechanics shop, homemaking classroom and culinary arts kitchen, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) classroom. Creation of that center will free up two classrooms in the high school, middle school and elementary school. The current agriculture building would be converted to a locker and weight room, while the building’s football concession stand would be renovated.

In Jackson County, Altus Public Schools wants a $6.7 million bond issue to create a dual use safe room for Altus Elementary School and cover Phase II upgrades at the district’s softball/football complex in the former Kiwanis Park. At the elementary school, students would receive a shelter large enough to hold the entire school population during storms, but on a daily basis the space would be a new special education area and media center (the existing media center will be converted to class space).

Also in Altus, voters will select a representative for the unexpired term of Ward 4 city council member, choosing between Michelle Clement and Cody Nelson. Residents in the Navajo Public Schools District will select an Office 4 representative for the school board, from candidates Dusty Tittle, Paul Guenther and Jacob Wyatt.

In Caddo County, residents in the Fort Cobb-Broxton Schools District will decide on a $20.68 million bond issue that will fund upgrades to the elementary and middle schools, and add art and music classrooms and new restrooms to the elementary school. Work will range from new plumbing and HVAC units, to redesigning building entrances for better security.

In Greer and Harmon counties, residents in the Mangum Public Schools District will vote on a $925,000 bond issue that would fund five areas: purchasing Chromebooks for every student in grades six through 12; replacing heating and air conditioning equipment in buildings across the district; buying new band instruments; replacing elementary school desks; and building locker space in the football fieldhouse.

In Kiowa County, residents will vote on a new 1.5 percent countywide sales tax, with funding from the 25-year tax dedicated to Elkview Community Hospital. County officials estimate the tax will generate $1.2 million annually.

In Cotton County, Walters residents will select an Office 3 city council member, selecting among Sherri L. Flanagan, Larry Perez or Clint Thurman.