The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Local news

Discussion

September 28, 2009

Turnout small for 1st Chisholm Schools’ bond election meeting

By Bridget Nash Staff Writer

The turnout was small Monday for Chisholm Public Schools’ first public meeting concerning its upcoming bond election.

Chisholm officials are hoping patrons vote to pass a $1.015 million bond issue Oct. 13 for four new buses, technology updates, a new roof on part of the middle school building, a running track, band equipment and a baseball/softball/weightroom indoor facility.

“We’re trying to improve our schools and make it better for our kids with every dime we have,” said Chisholm Superintendent Roydon Tilley.

The bond issue will be two propositions on the ballot, a transportation proposition for the new buses and the remainder items on a second proposition.

In answer to an attending resident’s question Tilley explained the buses are legally required to be voted on separately and the actual cost of the buses will come from a competitive bidding process if the issue is passed.

During the meeting at North Enid Town Hall, Tilley said the initial increase in taxes will be approximately 3.6 percent if the bond issue passes, and that amount will go down continually during the seven-year payoff.

There are two reasons the tax increase generally decreases during the payoff of a bond issue, Tilley said. The first reason is as the bond issue is paid off, the amount owed gets smaller so the taxes required to pay off the bond also decrease. The second reason is an increase in the valuation of commercial and personal property in the district, which tends to increase the amount of people paying the taxes which, in turn, decreases the percentage individuals must pay to pay off the bond.

The initial increase in taxes is expected to be only slightly more than the 2008 millage levels.

“It’s a little over $40 for the year on a $100,000 house,” Tilley said.

Four people attended the public meeting. Three of those were affiliated with Chisholm Public Schools, one was a resident of the district.

Chisholm will hold another public meeting concerning the bond issue at 7 tonight at Carrier Congregational Church.

Text Only
Local news