School bond issues have helped to transform Bartlesville campuses

Bartlesville High School is an iconic building in the City of Legends. Originally constructed in 1939 in a distinctive art deco style which was popular in the day, it has stood the test of time and is a stately presence along Cherokee Avenue. Boasting all of the juniors and seniors within the Bartlesville Public School District, it is the undisputed home of the Bruins as well as an unquestioned source of community pride.

But BHS has not been able to get by on its own over the years. Problems with the structure have arisen, and citizens have been called upon to help remedy them. Recent school bond issues based in 2001 and 2007 have resulted in new facilities being added to the BHS campus such as the Fine Arts Center, the BHS Fieldhouse, the Science Wing, the Library/Media Center, the Connecting Link and the Bruin Activity Center. Bond funds have helped update the school’s heating and air system as well as its restrooms and lockers while being used to repair structural damage that can plague aging buildings also.

“Our top priority is always to provide the best education possible to each and every student in our care within a safe and accommodating environment,” says Dr. Gary W. Quinn, who has served as the superintendent of the BPSD since 1999. “We sincerely appreciate the citizens of this great community for the support they have shown us.”

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, a school bond issue proposal of $36.72 will go before voters. Among the highlights of the proposal

– which would result in no tax increase – are upgrades and renovations to Central Middle School and the Bartlesville Mid-High School facility. The plan calls for the current Madison Middle School building to be demolished while BHS would be expanded to accommodate all of the district’s students from grades nine through 12. The proposal features security upgrades throughout the district as well.

“We spent several months working on this proposal and paid very close attention to what our citizens wanted to see in this package,” says Quinn. “We are proud to bring this proposal before the voters, and think it will be highly beneficial to our students, teachers and community.”

Much of the focus of the bond issue of 2007 was on the district’s elementary schools. Ranch Heights Elementary School was transformed, with a new secured entry area, early childhood classes, administrative offices and parking and pick-up areas for parents and school buses. New early childhood classes – for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students – were added at Wayside and Woodrow Wilson elementary schools as well.

While a completely new school hasn’t been built in Bartlesville since 1985, the updates to the district’s campuses have become a source of pride. Earlier this summer, science teacher Granger Meador, who has spent his entire 25-year career as a full-time instructor at BHS, led some reunion tours for former Bruin classes. Those within the Class of 2003 were quick to show their approval of the new Fine Arts Center, Bruin Fieldhouse and Science Wing.

“On another tour,” says Meador, “the Class of 1993 was even more staggered by the improvements.”

Since the former BHS auditorium could only fit about half of the school’s student body, Bruin plays and musicals were often held at the Bartlesville Community Center. That is no longer the case as the Fine Arts Center is now a place which easily caters to the needs of the Bruins and has become a space utilized for other community events as well. Featured in the Fine Arts Center is the auditorium as well as rooms dedicated to programs such as choir, band, orchestra, drama and the visual arts.

As the science chair for grades six through 12 throughout the BPSD, Meador works in the Science Wing and had a hand in its design as well. Constructed on the north side of the BHS building, the Science Wing offers six labs, office and storage space, and bold technology.

“The Science Wing has allowed the teachers to provide a greater number of higher-quality, hands-on experiments for students,”

says Meador. “Many of the old science rooms were cramped, with little if any space for students to conduct experiments.

The new labs have large lab areas in each room, promoting direct experimentation.”

As the new 2013-14 academic year began, there was some extra spring in the step of the youngest Cougars at Richard Kane Elementary School. Thanks to a school bond issue package which voters passed in August of 2012, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at Kane are no longer taught in the aging portal classrooms which were located several yards away from the main building. No longer do they have to brave the elements on their way to the cafeteria.

This year, a new eight-room classroom addition at Kane made its debut. It was fashioned in much the same way as those at Ranch Heights, Wayside and Wilson, and is specifically tailored for all of the school’s pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students.

As she completed the first day of school on Wednesday, Kane principal Shelly White bubbled with pride and enthusiasm.

“The day was amazing,” said White. “Having all of our students under one roof is a huge answer to our prayers. Thank you, Bartlesville.”

Special to The Bruin by David Austin