Choctaw/Nicoma Park Bond Issue Set For December 9th

The Choctaw/Nicoma Park Board of Education has called for a sixty-six million dollar bond issue to be voted on December 9th, 2008. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau Report, Choctaw is the 3rd fastest growing community in the OKC Metro area.  The Choctaw-Nicoma Park School Board and administration have made a strong commitment to implement a long range facility improvement plan that will adequately serve our growing school population for years to come.  With bond issue funds from previous years we have made significant improvements to all nine of our schools, but we have many additional facility needs yet to be addressed. The newest school in our district is over 25 years old. Several of our schools are well over 60 to 70 years old. Our schools should provide a great learning environment for our students and be a source of pride for our students, staff, and entire community.  The children of Choctaw/Nicoma Park Schools deserve first-class facilities for their educational experiences equal to other suburban school districts.  

Proceeds from this bond issue will be used to build two new schools to replace Choctaw Jr. High and Nicoma Park Elementary.  Architects and engineers have stated that it is more cost efficient to rebuild these two schools rather than renovate them.  This bond issue will also build additional classrooms, cafeterias, and media centers as needed throughout the district. The district is currently using twenty-eight (28) portable classrooms to house students throughout the district.  In addition, there will be athletic and fine arts facility additions and renovations along with technology and security improvements. District wide paving/parking, bus lane improvements, interior renovations such as new doors, windows, flooring, and lighting are also included. New buses are also a part of this bond issue along with service center expansions and renovations. Specifically at……  

JAMES GRIFFITH INTERMEDIATE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE ON THE BOND ISSUE:  

*BRAND NEW MEDIA CENTER BUILT ONTO JGI

* 5 NEW CLASSROOMS (3 RENOVATED FROM THE CURRENT MEDIA CENTER , PLUS 2 ADDITIONAL)

* EQUIPMENT FOR THE MEDIA CENTER

* NEW WINDOWS

*NEW OUTSIDE DOORS

* EXPANSION OF THE FRONT OFFICE

* NEWLY RENOVATED RESTROOMS

* NEW GYM FLOOR

* NEW GYM BLEACHERS

* A NEW AND EXPANDED PARKING LOT

The Choctaw-Nicoma Park Board of Education is very mindful of current economic conditions.  Perhaps one the most important aspects of this bond issue is that it will not raise patron’s property taxes. Since previous bond obligations are being retired and our tax base is growing due to new construction millage taxes dedicated to school bonds will remain at the current rate while bringing in needed funds to construct, renovate and equip our schools.     

A group of patrons called Choctaw/Nicoma Park Citizens for Better Schools will be working to inform voters in the district about the bond issue.  This group has representatives from all schools, groups and sectors of the CNP school district that help promote our bond issues.  Patrons of the Choctaw/Nicoma Park School District have a tremendous record of passing bond issues to improve our schools.  Patrons have passed our last several bond issues with an average approval rate of 85%.  This is a strong endorsement for our school district and the long range facility improvement plan being implemented by our Board of Education. One of the main selling points of a community to potential new businesses and residents is the quality of the schools and the support of its patrons. 

Our school district has an excellent reputation of community support that we need to maintain. Community leaders and city officials are very supportive of this bond issue because the long range facility improvement plan will benefit our community as well as our schools with no new taxes. Patrons of the Choctaw/Nicoma Park School District have an opportunity to provide these facilities and promote children’s learning opportunities with this school bond issue.  More information will be forth coming in the following weeks.   

 

Here are photos regarding new buildings at Nicoma Park and Choctaw.  Click on the small photo for larger versions.

    

 

PHOTOS OF OUR CURRENT FACILITIES

Here are examples of what would be replaced or renovated if the bond issue passes.

Expanded and repaired parking lot

  

Expanded office area

 

Renovated student bathrooms

 

Outdoor portable buildings replaced with indoor classrooms

 

 

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