Campus security at heart of Jenks Public Schools overwhelming bond approval

JENKS, Okla. - Jenks voters overwhelmingly passed the school district's most recent bond Tuesday night, much of which will go toward a tender topic of late -- school security.

The money will fund the installation of security cameras and the improvement of entry ways in the schools.

"As a parent and a teacher in the district, of course safety is a big concern," said Sara Vratil, a teacher and a parent at Jenks Public Schools.
    
The $11.5 million bond issue was extremely well-received Tuesday -- historically well, said Jenks Superintendent Kirby Lehman.

"Seventy-seven percent-plus is one of the best percentages of approval we've ever had in Jenks Schools," he said.
 
Lehman said the tragedy in Newtown, Conn. brought a renewed urgency to the matter, but doesn't expect the changes to stop with the bond's passing.

He said he plans to have meetings with parents, teachers and students to find the best ways to improve the district's safety practices.

The bond money will also be used for more technology in the classrooms, textbooks, school buses and renovations, and won't raise taxes as it will replace an expiring bond.