This is the fourth in a series looking at projects included in an Enid Public Schools proposed bond issue election. The series continues daily through Dec. 9. Anyone wishing to submit questions about the proposal can e-mail them to trasp@enidnews.com.



Third-grade teacher Nancy Wolfe remembers a time not so long ago she had to keep her class in the computer lab for an hour waiting for lightning to subside long enough to return to class.

“It was a downpour,” Wolfe said. “There was no way we could walk that way.”

The Coolidge Elementary School computer lab, near the office on the northeast corner of the campus, doesn’t connect to the building that houses Wolfe’s classroom and a number of others. In fact, the building that houses the computer lab, office and several classrooms doesn’t connect to any of the other buildings, including the cafeteria.

While a 2003 bond issue provided funding to build a classroom addition to rid the campus of several portable classrooms, it didn’t provide enough funds to build a hallway connecting the building that houses the office and classrooms with the new addition and the gymnasium.

School administrators are hoping to alleviate weather-related problems — and security concerns — by constructing a hallway to connect the buildings and the gym. If Enid Public Schools patrons approve an $11.5 million bond issue Dec. 11, the hallway — and a number of other improvements at Coolidge — will be possible.

Upon voter approval, school officials also hope to renovate a breezeway that connects the two oldest buildings on the west side of campus. The breezeway initially was intended for temporary use. Now, the roof leaks, and it provides poor insulation from the elements, school administrators said.

An area between the office and the new addition provides another concern. Water drains from the new addition and creates a large pool between buildings, sometimes making it impossible to cross without drenching shoes and pants’ legs.

“This drains to create ‘Lake Coolidge,’” Principal Clark Koepping said.

“Sometimes we’ve had to wade through water,” said Barbara Banta, who teaches third grade. “It is so deep sometimes we don’t have a choice but to walk through it.”

Sitework, if approved Dec. 11, would correct the drainage problem.

Koepping said besides the obvious problems associated with inclement weather, he also is worried the disconnected buildings pose serious security risks.

“Once they’re in the building, we need a way to keep them in,” Koepping said.

He doesn’t like students traveling outside between the buildings unattended — which often happens when a child is ill, needs to see the school counselor or leaves early or arrives late.





Where they’ve been



Coolidge received a number of improvements and renovations besides the classroom addition in the 2003 bond issue. The four-classroom addition eliminated the need for regular classrooms in portable buildings. One portable building still is in use at Coolidge and houses two English Language Learner teachers.

Three sets of bathrooms were renovated, and district employees and volunteers have been busy painting the interior and exterior of the oldest and southernmost wing of the school.

Also, new windows and blinds have been erected in a portion of the school as part of the 2003 measure.

In 2001, Enid schools and patrons began the process to provide local students with renovated buildings. Voters in 2003 approved a comprehensive long-range facility plan for all Enid Public Schools sites.

Through the 2003 bond issue and sales tax election, the district already has completed a number of needed improvements, including a nine-classroom addition and a food court at Enid High School. Also, additions at four elementary schools have been constructed, and other sites across the district have received or will receive extensive renovations.

Technology upgrades also have been made, including new computers for every classroom, computer lab and library across the district.

New transportation purchases include re-placement of a third of the district’s fleet, in addition to charter buses, activity vans and driver’s education vehicles.

While some projects approved in 2003 are ongoing, school officials want to secure funds to finish needs originally outlined in 2001 provide for other necessary projects.

Projects completed by the 2003 proceeds include additions and some renovations at Eisehower, Hayes, Coolidge, McKin-ley and Monroe elementary schools, Emerson Junior High School, Lin-coln Academy and Carver Education Center.

The new measure would address many of the needs remaining at these schools and other projects in the district.





Get out the vote



Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 11, and two questions totaling $11.5 million are on the ballot for Enid Public Schools district voters.

Superintendent Kem Keithly said propositions are a continuation of the 2003 campaign, and funds will provide needed facility, transportation and technology upgrades.

Needs the district is asking voters to address Dec. 11 include a new Garfield Elementary School, which totals about $3.4 million; continued renovations at Coolidge, Monroe, Taft and Glenwood elementary schools and Emerson Junior High and Enid High, totaling about $1.16 million; exterior renovations at multiple sites around the district totaling about $307,000; and ongoing technology and transportation needs.

Todd Earl, local businessman and chairman of the 2003 campaign, has volunteered to lead the current campaign to secure more funds he says the district needs to meet long-range goals.

The current measures scheduled for the Dec. 11 election ballot would increase property taxes by 3.9 percent. For example, someone who currently pays $500 in property taxes annually would see an increase of less than $20 a year. Someone who pays $1,000 annually in property taxes would see an increase of just less than $40 a year.