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Can we talk?DUNCAN, Sep 02, 2011 (The Duncan Banner - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Continuing a week in which there has been much talk about a pending school bond election in Duncan, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry kept the discussion flowing Thursday night. The Chamber held a forum to provide an opportunity for Duncan residents to ask questions and gather information, as they prepare to vote on the bond issue on Sept. 13. It was the third meeting this week in which the bond issue was under a microscope. It came on the heels of a gathering Monday at Duncan Middle School and a forum Tuesday, hosted by the Stephens County Democrats, which also included discussion about a bond issue in Marlow. The primary focus of the Duncan bond is renovation and repair at Duncan High School, although transportation and technology are also in the bond. Ron Martin, Chamber Board chairman, was the moderator for the event. Hal Pennington, bond advisory committee facilitator, represented those favoring the bond issue, but there was little debate. Martin's request for someone to represent opponents of the bond drew no response. Between 70 and 80 people were present and the original format called for a representative of both sides to explain their stance. Since those opposing the bond had no spokesperson, only Pennington spoke. "I want to give you a perspective of how we got here," Pennington said. "After the last bond issue (2010) failed, there was a call for citizens to plan what the next step was." He said 40 people responded, including some who were against the 2010 bond issue. Pennington said advisory committee members worked together for several months to develop a proposal. The plan was then taken to the Duncan Board of Education and was approved. In regard to property taxes that will rise if the bond passes, Pennington said the tax will not significantly impact ad valorem taxes Duncan property owners currently pay. "We are not raising taxes $41 million," Pennington said. "We will be paying $41 million spread out over 10 years. "We're keeping a tax that's on us in place for the next 10 years." During a question and answer session, the first query focused on whether a competition (game) gymnasium is needed, despite existence of a game gym and a practice gym on the high school campus. "Currently, we have an old gym built in the 1960s, and it was for men's athletics," Pennington said. "Since then, we have duplicated everything. We have volleyball we didn't have in the 1960s. We have a bigger pom squad and a bigger cheer squad." He said the current gym would continue to be used, but the competition (main) gym would provide room for all sports, instead of having to bus students to the EDGE Academy to practice. The school district is working to add air conditioning and improve heating in the current gyms. Ricky Mayes, Duncan City Council member, said his concern about the bond issue failing was the impact it would have on future development. If the bond isn't approved, in 2013-14 the millage rate will go to 0 mills (units in ad valorem taxes). It is currently at 23.92 mills, and the bond will move the millage up to 25 mills, "If it (the millage) goes off, you'll never get it back," Mayes said. Mayes also wondered about connecting the gyms at the high school. Pennington said the gyms would be connected by a corridor. Pennington said the west building and the art building would be torn down, but the rest of the campus would essentially be contained within one structure because of corridors. He said it would provide a safer, more secure campus. Construction on the high school campus would be done with as little disruption and displacement students as possible, Pennington said. Some classrooms would be shuffled around and larger projects would be tackled during breaks. Any buildings needing to be torn down would be done last. In reaction to a question about having a separate vote on obtaining school buses, Pennington said state statutes dictate the buses have to be approved by a separate vote. Some transportation items will be included in the main bond vote. As discussion progressed, technology became a focus. "We projected out money for transportation and technology for 10 years," Pennington said. "Infrastructure and hardware were needs -- electrical and computer wiring. We want to upgrade all of the elementary schools. "It will get us up a little bit higher than what we've been able to do. Then we'll upgrade software." Duncan Schools Superintendent Sherry Labyer said the district could use some of the bond money to renew site licenses for a year, which would save the school district money for other things. "It could free up $30,000 to hire another teacher," she noted. Martin asked more questions provided by the Chamber, one involving the elementary schools, which were the main focus of the 2010 bond issue that failed. "What we read into the last bond issue is people didn't want us to mess with the elementary schools," Pennington said. "There is 50 to 60 million dollars needed at the elementary schools. They need to be fixed. "But there's only one high school, and all the kids have to go through it." ___ (c)2011 The Duncan Banner (Duncan, Okla.) Visit The Duncan Banner (Duncan, Okla.) at www.duncanbanner.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |