BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — With $52 million, Broken Arrow Public Schools hopes to make massive improvements over the next five years should 60% of the city vote to approve a new bond measure.
New technology investments for the classroom, as well as security improvements, would take up a big portion of the funding.
Also in the measure is $14 million for 1,900 HVAC units district-wide and roof replacement for 13 campuses. The remaining $4 million would pay for new school buses.
The district is calling the campaign the "Secure Our Future" bond.
"We're at a point now where there are things our district needs, and we need it vitally," said Rosewood Elementary School Principal Nate Hutchings.
Hutchings said in the first three years of the school, the student population ballooned to almost 600 kids.
Proposition 3 of the 2023 BAPS Bond would not build another elementary school but instead, add more classrooms at current ones like Rosewood. Hutchings told 2 News it's a smarter choice.
"Our students need and would benefit from having lower class sizes. And teachers would be able to effectively teach those kiddos in their class," he said.
It's not just a growing population the district claims needs to be addressed. It campaigns that other campuses have growing roof leaks and dire HVAC needs.
That, combined with new high school fine arts and tennis centers, as well as security and technology updates, make Proposition 1 total $48 million.
"As a voter, as long as taxes aren't going up, I'm good with it," Sequoyah Middle School parent Annie Sanchez said.
Funding for the bond measure would come from keeping the same tax rates for residents in the district.
That's enough to convince some parents like Sanchez.
"I had no idea about the roofs. That makes me a little nervous, mold, and stuff like that. I don't want my daughter to be anywhere near where that's happening," she said. "[Voting to approve] sounds like a good idea to me."
There are two other propositions included. Prop 2 uses $4 million to buy more school buses. Prop 4 is for the location of the future competition swimming pool.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 14. Early voting in Tulsa County and Wagoner County is open Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
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