In a special board meeting, the Guthrie Board of Education agreed to authorize an election to propose a $2.4 million school bond issue to voters in the upcoming November general election. School officials say this action will address the most critical areas of the district.
Financial Advisor Jon Wolff (L), Supt. Dr. Mike Simpson and School Board President Travis Sallee sign the final documents to set up a bond election for Nov. 4.
If approved by voters on Nov. 4, the $2.4 million bond issue would be spread out over 24 months through property taxes within the school district’s boundaries.
“That is our target for the community for our millage rate,” Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson said following the six-minute meeting. “We wanted to shorten this term based on the projects that we are going to place in the bond issue so that we can look at the next issue because this is a progression.”
“The next issue will be a longer duration and a greater monetary value.”
Related story: Superintendent: Urgent issues addressed in upcoming school bond election | Guthrie News Page
Superintendent: Urgent issues addressed in upcoming school bond election
The major portion of the bond proposal would address repairs, renovations and improvements to three elementary schools: Central, Fogarty and Guthrie Upper Elementary as well as Guthrie High School. Specific items include roof replacement, replacement of HVAC unit ventilators, window replacement, tuck point exterior repair and athletic track repair. The total cost adds up to $2.1 million for the projects.
“There have been some deferred items over the years that are of greater critical need at this time,” Simpson said. “At the end of this issue we have insured the value of the current buildings that we have on these projects before we address our growing need for classroom space.”
“We looked at our buildings and looked at the most critical need for our current buildings to insure their value and sustainability. We took those and attempted to prioritize them based on the amount of money available,” Simpson added.
The remaining $300,000 portion of the bond would address classroom technology equipment, including additional computers, software licenses and service agreements.
“Whatever we do we want to make this a district wide initiative. That’s a start to this (technology). It’s not anywhere near enough,” a honest Simpson said.
When asked about the timing of the bond election as it comes near the same time as sales tax propositions from both the City of Guthrie and Logan County Commissioners, Simpson says it will be interesting, but is hopeful the community sees what the schools are currently needing to address.
“Our hope is that the community understands the needs that we have.”
they try this every election, and we always turn it down. isn’t that the def. of insanity? those school maintenance workers need to get busy!
As I recall, previous proposals were much more lavish. I think this is a much more moderate and long term approach and one I may finally be able to support.
School maintenance workers need to get busy? They can only do so much. Before you pass judgement please go spend 1 day with Jerry Gammill and his crew to see how much the reuse and repurpose to get the school through a school year. Go see the computers that are not up to date with the online testing that the students have to have. I urge you both to think about the youth coming up in Guthrie and how you would want them to succeed.