2012 Bond Projects Underway

By Supt. Gary Quinn

In August 2012, voters passed a bond that will allow the Bartlesville Public School District to complete several much needed construction projects and updates throughout the district. I am extremely pleased to report that we are well underway with a number of projects being funded by the August 2012 bond including the addition of an early childhood education center to Richard Kane Elementary School and updates to Custer Stadium.

Currently, work on the foundation and the slab of the early childhood education is taking place at Kane, and we anticipate the steel structure to begin going up very soon. Our construction manager, McAnaw Construction, and our architect, Scott Ambler,

are working very hard to complete the project as quickly as possible. There are several factors that will contribute to the timeliness of the project over the next several months, but it our hope to have students in the new addition early in the 2013-2014 school year.

At Custer Stadium, updates are also underway. A few weeks ago, Musco Lighting completed the installation of our new lighting system, which is outstanding. The lights were ready for our first home soccer games and worked very well. Additionally,

we are in the process of getting our new sound system ordered and installed. I anticipate that we will have our new sound system fully installed and working for the 2013 BartlesvilleHigh School Commencement Ceremony. Construction crews are also currently

working to install handrails throughout the stands which will allow easier access to seating and help bring Custer Stadium more into compliance with ADA standards. We are also in the planning stages for the construction of restrooms and a concession stand that is set to be constructed on the visitor side of the stadium this summer.

A variety of other projects are set to begin as soon as students are out of school, the largest of which is the addition of a secured entrance at Hoover Elementary School. Currently, Hoover is our only elementary school without a secured entrance and that is set to change this summer. There will be a number of other small projects which will take place throughout the district over the course of the summer.

I would like to thank the citizens of Bartlesville for passing the August 2012 bond issue which is funding the district construction projects and updates. Without the support of the Bartlesville community, it would not be possible to have an outstanding school district. It is vital that we continue investing in our school facilities to ensure that our students have a great learning environment where they can feel safe and excel academically and socially.

With that being said, the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee is continuing to work hard on a plan for the future of our secondary facilities. As it currently stands, our two middle schools are not up to the standards that we expect here in Bartlesville. The LRFPC, which consists of almost 70 members, is working hard to identify the best solution moving forward.

In formulating a facilities plan, we fully understand that any plan put forth must have the support of the Bartlesville community. We have incorporated ideas that we heard during Schools Discussion Month and we are working hard to make sure that the plan is well-crafted and forward thinking. Within the next few weeks, we will have results from a community survey about our school facilities. The data we receive from the survey will be extremely important in moving forward with the planning process.

It is an exciting time for us as we have construction projects and updates taking place throughout the district. While current projects are taking place, we are continuing to work hard to develop a facilities plan for our secondary sites that the community

can support. Improving our district facilities is crucial to the success of our most important asset, our children.