Voters OK school bond issues in Southwest Oklahoma

School patrons in Southwest Oklahoma were in a generous mood Tuesday as several school bond issues won approval.

Voters in Central High Schools District approved a $6.16 million bond issue that will create new learning space while renovating existing space. The vote was 172, or 62.32 percent, for the proposition to 104, or 37.68 percent, against the proposition.

The proposition will create the Career & Technology Education (CATE) Center, which will feature a 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 will be converted to a locker room and weight room, while the football concession stand in the agriculture building would be renovated. Construction could be under way by fall, district officials said.

Jackson County

In Jackson County, Altus Public Schools approved a $6.7 million bond issue to continue upgrades started under the district’s 2019 bond issue. The issue passed 862, or 71.18 percent, to 349, or 28.82 percent.

In this proposal, funding will 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).

Construction could begin by summer or early fall.

Also in Altus, voters selected a representative for the unexpired term of Ward 4 city council member. Cody Nelson received 777 votes, or 69.01 percent to 349 votes, or 30.99 percent for Michelle Clement.

Residents in the Navajo Public Schools District selected an office 4 representative for the school board. Dusty Tittle came out the winner with 78, or 56.52 percent of the vote. Paul Guenther received 47 votes, or 34.06 percent, and Jacob Wyatt received 13 votes, or 9.42 percent.

Caddo County

In Caddo County, residents in the Fort Cobb-Broxton Schools District approved 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.

The vote was 204, or 80.63 percent, for the proposition, and 49, or 19.37 percent, against the proposition.

Mangum Public Schools

In Greer and Harmon counties, residents in the Mangum Public Schools District approved a $925,000 bond issue that will 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.

The vote was 258, or 88.66 percent, for the proposition and 33, or 11.34 percent, against the proposition.

Other elections include:

• Kiowa County: Voters approved 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. The vote was 1,096, or 83.73 percent, for the proposition, and 213, or 16.27 percent, against the proposition.

• Cotton County: Voters in Walters selected an office 3 city council member. Sherri L. Flanagan received 28 votes, or 42.42 percent. Larry Perez received 17 votes, or 25.76 percent. Clint Thurman received 21 votes, or 31.82 percent.