EDMOND —
The Deer Creek Independent School District has called a special bond election for May 14, to issue bonds in the sum of $5 million to provide funds for completing projects started with the October 2009 passage of Bond Package 39 for $142.1 million.
The $142 million will be used in addition to the $10.5 million from a 2006 package that already has gone toward completing the district’s new middle school, high school stadium, transportation facility, multi-sport complex and media center among other expansions and purchases.
The $5 million will be used for the purpose of constructing, equipping, repairing and remodeling school buildings, acquiring school furniture, fixtures and equipment and acquiring and improving school sites.
Board President David Miller said the projects originally were intended to be completed during an 10-year period. The board voted to speed up the completion time in reaction to rising construction costs and district growth.
The accelerated plan, coupled with some unforeseen construction costs, resulted in the district needing to increase its budget 3.2 percent, Miller said.
“Actually, the $5 million is going to allow us to finish up the projects. When we did the entire project it was going to be an 10-year deal, but since that time there have been numerous changes,” Miller said.
There were a few cost overruns as well as a few additions, he added.
“Some of the additions in cost increases can be attributed to the Operation Center costing us a couple of million extra dollars because of how we expanded and increased the facility’s capacity of what it can do,” Miller said. “Although we saved money on construction costs, the compression of 10 years to three for completion required the addition of construction people.”
The two largest costs involved elementary No. 5 when the district ran into an unforeseen city code problem on the north side of the site at a cost of $250,000. Also, the cost of a safe room housing the students and faculty was added to elementary No. 5.
Miller said when he came on the board five years ago the district was a little behind in construction compared with the growth that was happening in the district.
“I would have done it again,” Miller said. “We grew and we grew fast. We had to get the facilities up to speed, and we have to keep abreast of changes in technology and curriculum.”
The majority of the $5 million will go toward purchasing equipment and furnishings for the new buildings that are still under construction, said Superintendent Ranet Tippins, “and will not raise the voters’ taxes.”
“Those buildings include Spring Creek Elementary, or elementary No. 5, the Freshman Academy including a new cafeteria, high school addition including a new cafeteria, and the Performing Arts and Athletic Center,” Tippins said.
Tippens said building costs normally go up an average of 6 percent per year but went up 9 percent last year.
“Had they not gone ahead and constructed the buildings on a three-year schedule, I am concerned they may not have been able to finish construction of all the buildings on the bond issue.”
“The School Board has done a tremendous job completing the construction so far,” Tippins said. “I believe we are very well prepared for the next several years.”
Purchasing buses or providing for the rapid changes in technology may have to be looked at later on down the road, Tippins added.
“It is exciting that the projects will be open for the students next year,” Tippins said. “I have to compliment the board for their hard work as we will be able to move into the buildings earlier than first expected and use them well.”
Jordan Smith with Stephen L. Smith Corp. (the financial group that will be selling the bonds) said, “This is just a one-time, two-year bond, very short-term, and it will be able to rebalance the bond schedule without changing ad valorem taxes. If the bond passes in May, the most important thing is keeping consistent tax rates for the patrons.”
Verbiage for the bond says it is not to exceed 10 years, but Smith said plans are to pay it off in two years.
pmiller@edmondsun.com | 341-2121
Local News
Deer Creek calls for May 14 bond election
- Local News
-
-
EF-5 tornado called 'worst in history'
President Barack Obama pledged the federal government’s full support for disaster relief in what is being called one of the most devastating tornadoes in history. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has deployed a team to the state.
-
Edmond detective describes tornado devastation
Like other Oklahomans, Edmond Police Detective Marion Cain was keeping an eye on the weather Monday.
The storm, which produced the tornado began at 2:45 p.m., about 4.4 miles west of Newcastle and its 20-mile long path went through Newcastle, Moore and south Oklahoma City. About 10 minutes after it formed, it was already causing EF4 damage. Maximum winds of the tornado, upgraded to an EF5, were 200-210 mph, according to information released at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday by the National Weather Service. Its estimated maximum width was 1.3 miles. -
UPDATE: How to donate, find drop-off locations for relief supplies
Below is a listing of where donations may be taken in the Edmond area to help the Moore/Oklahoma tornado victims:
• The Edmond Sun is serving as a drop-off location for the downtown Edmond area. Supplies only may be dropped off at 123 S. Broadway and residents may use the backdoor to enter the building. Parking is available behind the building at the Festival Market Place. From 5-10 p.m. donations may be taken to Café Evoke, 103 S. Broadway.
• Edmond North High School is serving as a drop-off location for bottled water through today
• Memorial High School is serving as a drop-off location for food through today.
• Santa Fe High School is serving as a drop-off location for supplies such as work gloves, tools, etc. through today. -
Edmond high schools aid Moore, OKC tornado victims
Sometimes good things come from texting.
Monday afternoon, Sydney Richardson, who will be Santa Fe’s student body president next year, was driving home and it was raining. Once home, she talked to her mother, who told her about the tornado in Moore. Then she began seeing the damage on TV.
“It was devastating,” Richardson said. “We watched it all night long. I just felt like we needed to do something immediately.” -
City schedules debris collection for May 28
The City of Edmond’s Field Services Division of Public Works will be collecting storm-related debris from the May 19 tornado in accordance with the City of Edmond’s Emergency Operation Plan’s Level Two Response.
Affected areas where debris pick up will occur include in the area beginning one-half mile south of 15th Street to 33rd Street and from Boulevard Avenue east to I-35; and the Territories and Timberlake additions. Please see the map for clarification. Pick up is available for residential homes located within the designated boundaries.
Tree debris must be cut into no more than 6-foot sections and must be placed by the curb of the residence no later than 8 a.m. May 28. Crews will begin collection on Tuesday and continue until they have covered the area. -
Storm shelter inquiries up; customers take a number
After the horrific tornado set down in Moore Monday afternoon, storm shelter inquiries hit new highs.
Tuesday Ashley Cunningham, office manager for Red Dirt Septic on Waterloo Road in Edmond, and Mark Webb, owner of the Armor Vault Tornado Shelter in Oklahoma City, said their phones have been ringing consistently starting Monday afternoon. -
Insurers respond to Moore disaster
Insurers, like other agencies related to the Moore tornado disaster, are assessing the damage.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department has made an emergency declaration, allowing out-of-state adjusters to work storm damaged areas, said agency spokeswoman Calley Herth. It’s too soon to have tabulated damage estimates, Herth said.
“We are working hard to collect any and all numbers, but it’s just too soon at this moment,” she said. -
AG issues charity fraud and schemes alert
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt Tuesday issued a warning for Oklahomans and donors around the country to beware of charity fraud and scams following the severe storms in Oklahoma.
-
VIDEO: Pres. Obama's remarks on the Okla. tornado
President Obama speaks on Monday's deadly Okla. tornado.
-
Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore
Storm victims were pulled from the rubble and residents began surveying the damage late Monday and early Tuesday in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where a powerful tornado destroyed entire neighborhoods and left dozens dead.
- More Local News Headlines
-
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
The all-new Xbox One
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
