Mid-Del Schools laying groundwork for spring bond election

Mid-Del School leaders are seeking input on a future bond election.

District administrators are meeting with faculty at each school and are planning three public meetings to draw ideas for a bond election in April.
Superintendent Rick Cobb said the meetings will help create picture of the district’s facility needs. The list of potential projects will be pared down and presented to the school board for approval.

“We’re still in the very, very early stages of the process, but our faculty has been helping identify issues, some that we didn’t know about,” Cobb said.
Stacey Boyer, director of community relations, said the district modified its planning process this year to allow for more input.  In the past, the district administrators received a list of recommendations from school sites, but didn’t typically meet with teachers or the district patrons.

“In the 14 years that I’ve been here, I don’t remember having a public forum,” she said. “And it’s been really nice meeting with teachers at the schools. Some of them have given us ideas for things that they’ve seen at other schools.”

The district has scheduled public meetings at each of the three high schools.  The first meeting will take place on Oct. 20 at the Carl Albert High School Field. A second meeting is scheduled for Oct. 24 at the Midwest City High School Performing Arts Center. The final meeting will be Oct. 25 at the Del City High School Forum Room. All meetings will be from 6 – 7 p.m.

“The meetings will have a town hall setting and we want people to come and give their input,” Boyer said. “There won’t be an agenda. We will just listen and write down everyone’s ideas.”
Cobb said the district is planning to develop a list of bond projects by the end of November. The projects would then be presented to the school board for approval in December. If both are completed, the item would be added to the ballot in April.

Mid-Del Schools has another bond series that is set to expire soon.  Cobb said they hope to pass another bond election which would help upgrade facilities without increasing property taxes.
Cobb said they do not have a price tag for a possible bond election. He said that would depend on what type of projects would be included. The district would likely use lease revenue bonds for the projects.

The district most recently passed a bond election in 2014. Voters approved a $10 million bond aimed at improving safety and another $400,000 for transportation. Both items passed with more than 77 percent.

In 2011, voters approved a $90.5 million bond issue that included upgrades to academics, athletics, arts and facilities throughout the district. Construction of new Soldier Creek and Midwest City elementary schools were included in the package.

Community meetings about bond election
October 20th from 6-7:00 p.m.
Carl Albert High School Field House
October 24th from 6-7:00 p.m.
Midwest City High School Performing Arts Center
October 25th from 6-7:00 p.m.
Del City High School Forum Room