Post date: Jun 27, 2013 7:16:39 PM
From The Bruin, Volume 7, Number 43, 6/28/2013
The Bartlesville Board of Education has approved a resolution to hold a bond election on Tuesday, September 10. The resolution approved by the BOE was based on a proposal put forth by the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee (LRFPC) and focuses on the condition of Bartlesville Public School District middle school facilities and would result in the reduction of one secondary site,
from four to three. The proposal is also focused on safety upgrades throughout BPSD.
The September 10 election will directly address school facilities at a total cost of $36.72 million. The bond issue is tax neutral and will result in no tax increase.
As part of the proposal, the current high school facility would be expanded to house all 9-12 students. The square footage of BHS would increase to allow for the larger student population in grades 9-12. A freshman academy would be built to house all freshman core classes. The freshman academy would not be a standalone building; it would be built onto the southeast portion of the existing high school building.
Middle school students who currently attend Madison Middle School would be moved to the Bartlesville Mid-High School facility which would see upgrades and renovations. Central Middle School would see major renovations and continue to house middle school students. The current Madison Middle School would eventually be demolished under the bond resolution.
Additionally, safety upgrades would take place at all BPSD facilities. The upgrades include restricted visitor access through school offices, visitor sign-in kiosks, interior classroom door locks, an increased number of video cameras and improved public address
systems.
The proposal set for vote on September 10 would allow the district to bring its aging middle school facilities up to district standards and enhance the safety of students throughout the district. The bond proposal involves no tax increase.