Published: November 06, 2009 07:18 pm      

11-7 Editorial: other view

Support Edmond’s bond issue

EDMOND — Edmond voters will go the polls Tuesday and almost certainly approve a $36.12 million bond issue to fund improvements throughout the Edmond school district.

The bond issue deserves to pass.

It will fund additional classroom space to expand pre-kindergarten and all-day kindergarten classes at a number of Edmond elementary schools.

It also will fund, among other things, improvements to athletic facilities at several middle schools and a major remodel of the four-decade-old Memorial High School.

Pre-k and all-day kindergarten will lay the groundwork for students to succeed later in school. Middle school athletes need safe, fully functional equipment and fields of play. There can be no doubt an almost half-century-old school, added on to a handful of times, will need a makeover.

Edmond students deserve these improvements.

The bond issue also will not increase property tax assessments because this five-year bond will replace another bond that is being paid off, keeping the millage at the same level.

While we believe all of the above to be true, we also would request that the district create a wish list for future capital improvements, with more opportunity for public input well before the next bond vote.

This would allow Edmond residents to see where the district is headed, and give school administrators more input from the people who pay the bills.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. We hope you exercise your constitutional responsibility and vote for our children’s education.