ENID — Local marketing professionals Thursday heard about the construction plans and improvements for Enid Public Schools if a $99.5 million bond issue passes voter approval in February.

Superintendent Shawn Hime spoke to about 55 members of a newly organized marketing group, many of whom are young professionals and relatively new to the community.

Hime told the group how important it is for the district to address projected growth of new students and families into the community.

“We have to, as a community, realize we’re going to be a growing community with a growing student population,” Hime said. “We have to continue and make decisions that are ongoing.”

Tawny Dotson, president of the new organization, said members of the group, which adopted the name Inspire Enid, should listen to the presentation, then talk about what they heard and what they think about the bond issue.

Hime gave the group an overview of the projects planned, including construction of a new Garfield Elementary School on the east side, another new elementary school on the west side, new hallways at Coolidge Elementary School, a new classroom wing at Waller Middle School and a new cafeteria at Adams Elementary School. Also under the plan, all schools would receive renovations, including new doors, new restroom facilities, new flooring and electrical up-grades.

The project also calls for improvements to D. Bruce Selby Stadium, including renovating stands and restrooms and installing new artificial turf, plus replacement for band and orchestra instruments and replacement of buses.

Hime explained the need for the bond issue is based on the overcapacity of seven of the 10 elementary schools. Also, Garfield is the oldest building in the district and has major problems, including Americans With Disabilities Act accessibility.

Hime said the growth of Enid students is real. The district gained 300 students just last year, and overcrowding in elementary schools is a concern, despite moving sixth-graders out of elementary buildings and turning the three junior highs into middle schools.

“Enid Public Schools grew by more than 600 students in four years,” he said. “We expect to grow by another 500 students by 2018.”

Hime explained the bond issue plan was developed by a group of 35 community and board of education members over a one-year time period.

He also addressed the concern about raising property taxes for this proposal. He explained the reason taxes are going up for this program is Enid’s millage rate for the school district is way below 10 peer districts. Of five schools larger than Enid and five schools smaller, Enid’s school district millage rate is the smallest at 13.29. The average for peer districts is 25.35.

Hime said the community needs to get its school millage rate to a comfortable level in which the school district can continue to pass bond issues for school improvements without impacting taxpayers dramatically. Hime said he would like to see Enid’s millage rate stay at about 25 mills, and that’s about where passage of this bond issue would put the district.

Hime took questions regarding the bond issue, including athletic facility renovations and also how the district will pay for additional staff and utilities for a new building.

He acknowledged putting athletic facilities in the bond issue can be controversial. The cost for the renovation of the stadium is 1 percent of the total bond package. He said the stadium is crumbling and needs repair. As for the turf, he said the investment will pay for itself in 10 years with money saved on water, fertilizer and care of the current grass. He also pointed out Enid is the only 6A school other than U.S. Grant in Oklahoma City without artificial turf.

As for growth in expenses, Hime said more students means more state funding to educate them.

“The money follows the students,” he said.

Even with proposed budget cuts and budget woes, he said the money will be there for new teachers and administrators in the new west-side elementary. He said a new school may not be fully staffed “at first,” but as students move into the district, the funding would come to pay the expenses.

When asked about the economic development aspect of passing the bond issue, Hime said most everyone agrees education is key to bringing in new workers and businesses to town.

“Many of you who work for big employers have given me stories about potential employees you’ve attracted to come to town and either the employee or spouse wanted to tour the schools,” Hime said. “Some didn’t get past the front door.”

Hime also identified potential sites for the new schools. The National Guard Armory will be relocating to Vance Air Force Base, and the site of the current armory is only two blocks from Garfield. He said the site is big enough to construct a new school. As for the west side, he said a new school site would most likely be identified around Garland.

Jessica Andrews, a member of the marketing group, said she is supportive of the bond issue after hearing Hime’s presentation.

“I think it’s a must for the community,” she said. “How can we grow if our school system doesn’t grow? We need this for the community.”

Another member, Delena Hardaway, marketing and development director for Wymer-Brownlee, said she knows exactly how new residents feel about having nicer and quality school buildings when making a commitment to moving.

“I recently moved here from another town, but without kids,” she said.

However, she said when her kids were in school, she “was that mom” who wanted to see schools before committing to moving her family to a new town.

“I’m supportive of it,” she said of the proposed bond issue.

The bond issue election will be Feb. 9 and requires 60 percent approval for passage.