Tuesday elections in Southwest Oklahoma range from new school space to city council seats

Elections scheduled Tuesday across Southwest Oklahoma will allow voters to decide issues ranging from funding for school construction projects to city council and school board races.

The only election slated Tuesday in Comanche County is for those who live in the Central High Public Schools District, where voters are being asked to support a $6.16 million bond issue that will create new learning space while renovating existing space. The proposition, which also will be presented to Stephens County and Grady County voters, would create the Career & Technology Education (CATE) Center, which will feature 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 those areas will free up two classrooms at the high school, middle school and elementary school, providing more space for students.

In addition, the current agriculture building would be converted to a locker room and weight room, while the football concession stand in the agriculture building would be renovated. With voter approval, construction could be under way by fall, district officials said.

In Jackson County, Altus Public Schools is seeking a $6.7 million bond issue to continue upgrades started under the district’s 2019 bond issue. In this proposal, funding would 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 that space also will function on a daily basis as a new special education area and state-of-the-art media center (the old media center will be converted to class space).

Pending voter approval, construction could begin by summer or early fall.

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. If approved, construction is expected to begin by fall and winter.

In Greer and Harmon counties, residents in the Mangum Public Schools District will decide 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. District officials have said every project but the fieldhouse is expected to be ready when students return to classes in August. The fieldhouse work will be done in time for the 2025 football season.

Other elections include:

• Kiowa County: Voters will decide 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.

• Cotton County: Voters in Walters will select an office 3 city council member, selecting among Sherri L. Flanagan, Larry Perez or Clint Thurman.