Bartlesville High School would house grades 9-12 as part of bond proposal

As part of the September 10 bond proposal, Bartlesville High School would become a 9-12 high school. The estimated $20.6 million expansion project at BHS would expand the school building to accommodate grades 9-12 and result in no tax increase.

In order to provide ample space for the addition of two grades, Bartlesville High School would have a science wing constructed on the north side of the building which would add four classrooms for sophomores. Classrooms for sophomores would also be added to the southeastern portion of BHS, just south of the Custer Stadium grandstand.

Freshmen would be predominately housed in a freshman academy. The freshman academy would be constructed on the southeast corner of the existing BHS structure and would not be a standalone structure. However, the freshman academy would isolate freshmen for core classes. The freshman academy would allow students to slowly acclimate to the high school setting while being housed in a specific portion of the building for the most of the day.

To accommodate the increased student population, a new cafeteria and commons area would be constructed south of Custer Stadium. The present BHS cafeteria is extremely small and windowless, making lunch service very difficult. At this time, it can only serve approximately 150 lunches at one time. The new space would dramatically improve current conditions and create a spacious area where students would enjoy having lunch and congregating. The cafeteria and commons area would also have an entire wall of windows overlooking an outdoor patio area and Custer Stadium. The outdoor area would be useful for after-hours events such as athletic events and other functions.

With a larger student population, comes a greater volume of traffic. As such, the Bartlesville Public School District commissioned a traffic study to measure exiting traffic at Bartlesville Mid-High School and BHS to determine what must be done to effectively accommodate the traffic of four grades at BHS. The changes determined to be necessary include widening Shawnee Avenue to the west to become three lanes from the existing tennis courts parking lot south to 18th street. A circular drop-off area would be built east of the freshman academy to accommodate parent pick-up and drop-off, specifically the freshmen students. The existing circular drop-off in the front of the BHS building would continue to be utilized for 10-12 students. Buses would use the north side of 18th street for student drop-off and pick-up.

Creating a grade 9-12 BHS would have a wide-ranging set of benefits, the most important of which would be an improved overall academic experience for high school students. A 9-12 high school would effectively eliminate one school transition, meaning the movement of students from one school building to another as they advance in grade. The number of BPSD school transitions would be reduced from three to two.

Research conducted by the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee’s Academic Performance Sub-Committee concluded that reducing the number of transitions positively benefits student achievement, particularly struggling learners. In looking at data from Oklahoma schools through data from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, a distinct correlation was noted between fewer transitions and higher academic

performance.

In addition to the reduction of transitions, a 9-12 high school would open up more advanced coursework for freshmen and sophomores. Currently, if a BMHS student is interested in taking a higher level class they have to travel to BHS. If the class can fit it in their schedule, they must either provide their own transportation or take a bus.

Presently, about 165 students are transported between BMHS and BHS each day. Housing grades 9-12 would greatly reduce transportation of students across town. This would free up the time spent each day on transportation to allow students more time to spend in class, athletics or fine arts.

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Overall Plan for Expanding BHS to serve grades 9-12

Close-Up of the additions south of Custer Stadium and adjacent to the Bruin Fieldhouse

View from visitor stands at Lyon Field, looking across at Custer Stadium and new additions

Looking west from Shawnee at the Freshman Academy built around the north and east sides of the Bruin Fieldhouse

Finally, the BPSD is always exploring ways to more efficiently use taxpayer dollars. The reduction of secondary sites from four to three would allow the district to benefit from increased staffing efficiency and well as maintenance and utilities efficiency. Money saved from operating expenses can be put back into the classroom to keep class sizes low and facilities properly maintained.

Ultimately, a 9-12 high school would provide academic benefits to students by reducing transitions and providing increased course offerings. The 9-12 high school would allow BPSD to move from four secondary facilities to three, therefore increasing the district’s operating efficiency and allow for monetary savings in the future.

Polls will be open Tuesday, September 10 and early voting will take place Friday, September 6 and Monday September 9. Passage of the bond issue would result in no tax increase.