Enid News and Eagle
— Editor’s note: With Tuesday’s upcoming vote on the $99.5 million school bond proposal, we have received a high volume of Letters to the Editor on this vital issue, many of which we present today in a special forum.
Do it for the sake of the kids
It has been many years since I was in school, but I’d like to speak out for the kids. My children are past high school and I own a house, by the way.
Many issues have been discussed in many places – but the bottom line is schools deteriorate with time. Another fact is school attendance is mandatory for most kids. Put these two together, and our kids are growing up in deteriorating schools.
It takes our money to support these schools and provide improvements. The kids aren’t taxpayers. But they are forced to spend many hours per week in these schools. If we don’t vote to improve the schools, we are telling these kids we really don’t care about them. We tell them we would rather argue politics and personalities than spend a little to make their lives better.
Do you want more vandalism, theft and malicious behavior? Kids that get into trouble because they think no one cares about them? Vote against this bond. The gangs can use this kind of leverage to sell their brand of hope.
Vote for it to give kids hope. Give them pride in their school instead of having to deal with what is breaking down. Show them you care. They will be watching the results of this bond issue.
Mitch Russell
Enid
Enid needs to rise to next level
We have been silent long enough. As I continue to read letters to the editor forcefully rejecting the school bond issue, my heart is saddened and my temper is quickened.
Enid is a wonderful place and the people of our fair city are among the most kind and generous I have ever met. This is why I live here. I have no family here, and until moving to Enid for residency nine years ago, I had no other ties to Enid. But something has always bothered me about our city.
The conditions of our schools and parks stand in direct contradiction to the values of most of our citizens. We value children and stress the need for education, yet lag behind in the development of suitable facilities to put them on an even playing field with students in other cities. The bond issue, although broad in scope, is not vaulting us to ivory towers and gold domes. It is bringing our schools up to par with other 6A districts whose citizens have decided to invest in the youth of their area.
I want my children to grow up and find opportunity here and perhaps call Enid home for their families. To this end, we must cultivate the kind of jobs that will keep them here. And to cultivate those jobs you must attract young professionals to the area. The next time you drive by Longfellow, Monroe, Emerson, Waller, Hayes, Taft, Eisenhower, D. Bruce Selby Stadium or any other Enid Public School building think about seeing it for the first time as a prospective new family to our area.
I long for Enid to rightfully step foreward and take its place as a banner city in Oklahoma. The work of those who have begun to beautify the eastern corridor into Enid and market downtown Enid has greatly enhanced our city. The addition of a sprinkler park and the attempt to revamp other public areas has been encouraging to see. The renovation to the high school with high ceilings, a new cafeteria and new windows gives more pride to those who walk its halls daily.
It is time to bring Enid to the next level. Our students and teachers deserve your vote of confidence. Our future beckons, and we have been silent long enough.
Garrett Shelton
Enid
A step in the right direction
I am writing to ask my fellow citizens to get in there and vote for our school bond issue.
Clearly we have needs that have gone unmet for too long and this is a well thought-out step in the right direction. We are overcrowded and must get our kids out of the “temporary” structures that are not even safe.
Secondly I am encouraging our state politicians to address the issue of school districts. We have way too much overhead with 500 plus districts with superintendents, assistants, etc. There must be a way to consolidate districts (not necessarily schools) and allow more money for the teachers on the front lines.
Please don’t let this opportunity pass. Take pride in our community and vote yes on the bond issue next week. Then pressure our fellows in Oklahoma City to do something about the bigger picture.
Doug Frantz
Enid
Everyone has a stake in vote
Who should really be paying for that school bond hike? Everybody!
I recently read a letter from a reader who complained apartment dwellers don’t pay taxes. He failed to mention that the apartment owner pays the tax. And where does he get the money? From the rental income he receives from the renters!
I also took notice of the article in the paper that reported on how many communities have surpassed Enid in growth over the last several years. The reason? They invested in their schools and we didn’t! And if we don’t invest in our schools, guess what happens? Our community doesn’t grow and property values don’t keep up with inflation. Everybody loses.
So, if you live in Enid, no matter if you own or rent, you better vote “yes” for our schools.
And if you live outside of Enid and work here, you better encourage your co-workers to vote “yes.” Your job may depend on it. After all, we don’t want to end up like Detroit!
Michael P. Wright
Enid
Questions remain unanswered
As an Enid taxpayer, I would like to know from our school board exactly where are you going to build the new school on the east side? How much more is it going to cost for land or demolition? Isn’t the armory a historical sight? Seems to me this is something we should know and not just guess where its going and having to come up with more bond money later. Also, I can see fixing the football stadium, but Astroturf? And maybe we can get a playoff game here and maybe we can have band contests here isn’t cutting it.
A school bond issue for all this now seems like a bad idea. Break the bond issue up and answer a few questions and I will vote for your bond.
Richard Atkinson Sr.
Enid
High-paying jobs are priority
In the Jan. 27 Letter to the Editor, “Does Enid have what it takes to be the best?” the writer compares Broken Arrow, Norman, Deer Creek, Choctaw and Yukon to Enid as peer cities. In my opinion we are not their peers.
All of these cities are a part of Tulsa or Oklahoma City Metropolitan areas having access to thousands, perhaps millions, of higher paying jobs. Broken Arrow’s average median family incomes were $61,570 in the 2000 census, Norman’s average median family income was $51,189, Deer Creek’s was $40, 625, Choctaw’s was $55,437 and Yukon’s was $52,646. All of these averages are larger than Enid’s at $39,113. This means average pay in these cities is more than in Enid.
All of these cities had fewer families living below the poverty level than Enid in 2000. Are these cities really our peers?
Again all of these cities are apart of Oklahoma City or Tulsa’s Metro areas. They have access to high paying jobs. That’s not so in Enid. Enid sets along on the prairie. No cities nearby to find higher paying jobs. Before we can be compared to these cities we will need to bring more and higher paying jobs here. We’ve talked about it for years and we’ve made excuses for not doing it for years. Isn’t it time to stop whining about it and bring higher paying jobs to Enid? We have plenty of minimum wage jobs. When higher paying jobs come to Enid I’m sure the folks will be happy to pass a $100 million dollar school bond issue.
William T. Johnson
Enid
Bond will create a better Enid
Eighteen months ago a community group of about 35 people was formed to identify the facility needs of the Enid Public School District. This community group consisted of people with a variety of backgrounds including parents, teachers, construction, business, banking, legal, medical, etc. After touring each school building this group discussed their observations. The community group developed a comprehensive plan for addressing current renovation needs, eliminating overcrowded elementary schools and adding classroom capacity for future student growth. The school board approved the plan and set a school bond election date of Feb. 9.
I support the school bond and will be voting “YES” for the following reasons:
• Schools belong to the community and are the responsibility of the community for building renovation and construction.
• The plan was developed for the community by the community.
• EPS has grown by more than 600 elementary students over the past four years.
• Projected growth of an additional 500 elementary students by 2018.
• Seven out of 10 elementary schools are over capacity.
• Work completed in 24 to 36 months ... saving taxpayers millions of dollars in inflation costs.
• Builds new classroom wing at Waller Middle School to replace temporary portable buildings.
• Two new elementary schools to accommodate current and future student growth.
• Builds Enid Public School’s first new school since 1963.
• Addresses critical student safety needs.
• Improves technology and transportation.
• Allows Enid Public Schools to keep its commitment to small class sizes.
• Improving our schools will help attract more businesses to Enid, thereby creating more jobs.
Enid is a good place to raise a family and with passing this school bond can become a great place to raise a family. Our children are our future and we have a responsibility to create the best learning environment. I encourage all who want to better Enid to vote “YES” on Feb. 9.
Brian Hayden
Enid
A long-term, positive investment
Those of us who call Enid home know of its subtle, yet distinctive uniqueness. Enid is small enough to offer a high quality of life to its residents. As a member of this fine community, I can tell you the people I work with and see on a daily basis are more than just names and faces to me. I care deeply about each of them and their families. I want the best education possible for their children and grandchilden. I have been closely reading stories on the Feb. 9 Enid School Bond election and believe we have the opportunity to make long-term positive investments in our community.
What happens if we fail to pass the bond? Our public schools will continue being overcrowded, which will lead not only to a poor education but to teacher burnout. We will not invest in technology, which is crucial for future growth, nor will we be able to purchase needed fire alarms, energy upgrades and safety features. In addition, the infrastructure of our schools is suffering greatly.
What about jobs? By investing in our public schools, we are making a long-term investment in attracting new businesses and jobs. Employers do not want to move employees, nor do people want to move to a community where their children will not receive a high quality education. If we miss the business expansion, our tax base will decrease and it will affect city services. Moreover, that will affect us all!
Invest in our children. Invest in your future. Invest in public education. Join me in voting “YES” on Feb. 9, 2010, to the Enid School Bond.
Bert Mackie
Enid
School bond will create jobs
The United States should have one thing on its mind: job creation. The same should go for Enid. Fortunately for our community, residents can pull the trigger on one of the most important job creators available to voters – a school bond issue.
On Feb. 9, voting yes for the Enid Public School bond issue will be the start of future job growth. As the superintendent of one of Oklahoma’s five original technology centers. I can tell you there is a direct connection between education and economic expansion. The more ready our students are for the workforce, the more productive they become as adults.
Our bond issue is full of great ways for our students to make the most of their education. The bond is loaded with technology enhancements, safety features and infrastructure improvements. It also will construct Enid’s first new schools in nearly 50 years, an important part of the bond that will solve our district’s overcrowding problems.
It’s no secret businesses will not invest in a community that does not invest in its schools. For businesses looking to expand, a yes vote sends a strong message Enid voters support our schools, our economy and job creation. My position at Autry Technology Center allows me to connect with statewide and regional business leaders. I know that with today’s economy, the connection between schools and good-paying jobs has never been more apparent.
The state of our nation’s economy is not great. But Enid voters have the opportunity to view economic conditions as an opportunity to move Enid forward as a regional leader. On Feb. 9, let’s take the first steps in making Enid an economic engine for Oklahoma. Join me in voting yes!
Dr. Jim Strate
superintendent/CEO
Autry Technology Center
Growth brings many challenges
Enid is growing and that can be a great thing for our community. Growth is good for jobs and it’s good for our future. But growth brings as many challenges as it does opportunities.
On Feb. 9, voters have the opportunity to make Enid’s future brighter and meet our challenges by supporting the Enid Public School bond initiative. The bond will bring improvements to each school in the district. It also will create two new elementary schools to accommodate our growth and address over capacity issues that plague many of our schools. A “yes” vote will also improve technology, safety and transportation.
As a parent with children in our schools, I will be voting yes on Feb. 9.
Passing the bond makes Enid a more attractive place to live. It will help our community attract businesses and create jobs – something cities across the country are fighting for. We must make investments in our future now.
It starts in our classrooms. Our educators and children have done so much with limited resources for so long. The bond addresses many important aspects of education from the time a child walks into their school in the morning, to the time they leave in the afternoon. It was put together by local residents and its implementation will be watched by local residents.
Consider this: We have not built a new school in more than 40 years. Doing so now will lock in historically low construction costs.
Enid is growing and that’s a good thing. The opportunity is before us to make a difference. Please join me in voting “yes” on Feb. 9.
Faith Sarver
Enid
How will new teachers be paid?
How is the Enid school board going to pay the teachers at the new school? They already have cuts of 10 percent in state funding and have been told to expect more cuts next year. Is the board going to close one or more schools on the east side? If they do, will it be before remodeling or after? When the new school is built on the west side, the city will want a bond issue to widen Willow from Cleveland to Garland and Garland to Atwoods.
George Payne
Enid
Now, it’s our turn to help
When Enid built its last new school, the Beatles had just released their first record! Enid had less than 40,000 people. Now, our city is 20 percent larger and our school population is growing rapidly. We no longer have sufficient facility for all our kids.
We need to build two new primary schools. We need updated technology and buses. Our many older buildings are structurally sturdy, but need thorough renovation in order to meet today’s standards.
I am semi-retired and I love my home, my community and our future, but we need to update our schools! It has been almost two generations since we added the last new building! That is long enough. We need to give our kids the best possible education, for that is the day to the future for them – and for Enid. I think if we embrace the growth in school population we are experiencing and prepare for the future, our community will definitely grow, our kids will benefit immensely and, yes, my property values will improve. And so will the values of all the homes in my neighborhood.
We had decent facilities and very good teachers in the 1950s when I was a student in McKinley, then Emerson and Enid High School. We had those facilities then – thanks to an older generation who had built them for my generation. And we received an excellent start in life. Now it is our turn!
I will vote next Tuesday for the Enid School Bond and I urge you to do the same. Vote “yes” on Feb. 9!
John L. Cromwell
Enid
Business leaders urge passage
On Feb. 9, the citizens of Enid will have the opportunity to lead our city to a better place by voting for the Enid Public School Bond Issue.
We believe this is the most important vote the community will make in the new decade. The opportunity for the future success of Enid’s children is tied directly to the quality and performance of our public education system.
A “yes” vote will significantly improve our schools.
A new school has not been constructed since the 1960s, and some of the temporary classroom trailers added to handle the overload of students 20 years ago are deteriorating and their temporary nature has long since gone.
Better facilities will create an environment for learning and yield better-educated graduates. This is critical to job creation in our city. From the perspective of the business professional, a company’s most important asset is its people. Businesses need an educated work-force so they can compete in the national and worldwide marketplace.
When prospective employees visit Enid businesses, we are recruiting not only the specific employee, but the candidate’s family as well. While the potential employee is focusing on the job and the company, the spouse and kids are focusing on our schools and Enid’s quality of life. We have found touring the schools is often priority No. 1 for these families. Outdated school facilities do not show the community cares and Oklahoma offers other choices. Nearby states further multiply those choices.
Our goal is to recruit top employees, the kind who will come to love Enid like the rest of us and who will further enrich the quality of life in our city.
Please join us in building a brighter future for Enid’s children by voting for the Enid Public School Bond Issue. Let us move forward together.
Harold Hamm
chairman and CEO
Continental Resources Inc.
Paul Allen
co-chairman
Advance Food Co.
Lew Ward
chairman
Ward Petroleum Corp.
Make a positive statement
For 25 years, I’ve had the privilege to volunteer my time and mentor students inside Enid public schools. Although a definite age gap exists, there is not a week that goes by where I do not learn something from them.
Enid students are sharp, they are thirsty for knowledge and maybe most importantly, they need our help. During those 25 years, they have done the most with the tools at their expense but in areas like technology, our schools are behind the curve.
It is time for us as a community to support these bright students. We can do that by voting yes on Feb. 9 for the Enid Public School bond issue.
I’ve read each item that our children will receive if we pass the bond and I can tell you that each item is needed. The bond touches everything from science labs and technology improvements to fire alarms and electrical upgrades. It also will construct two new elementary schools – our district’s first new schools since 1963 – to address the district’s overcrowding problems.
Having a steady stream of students entering our schools can be a great thing if we deal with it properly. Passing the bond issue will allow us to do exactly that.
I’ve gained a lot from mentoring students during the last couple decades. And now we have the opportunity to give back. The statement we can make on Feb. 9 will touch more than just our children’s lives. It will shape all areas of life in Enid. In the few hours polls will be open on that day, we can invest in Enid’s future for decades to come.
Stan Brownlee
Enid
Sales tax is a better option
We all are up for the improvements for our schools and teachers, but this bond election is way too big.
Enid is not a big city with lots of industry like Tulsa and Oklahoma City. We are in a recession and people are struggling to pay bills. Some are being layed off and others cannot find work.
We need to cut the pork barrel spending and do what’s absolutely necessary first. A sales tax might be better. That way everyone that lives here in Enid and have children in our schools helps support our schools. That seems fair to me.
Marjorie Hartling
Enid
Renters also pay their share
Let’s pass the school bond.
Some people think only home owners pay their property taxes for the school bonds and other bonds and that isn’t true.
People that own the homes and apartments that are rented out are paying these taxes and they do pass that onto the renters. So, you see they do pay their share.
Linda Lohse
Enid
