Thanks to Eufaula voters, big changes are coming to Eufaula school campuses, changes that will allow the district to continue to grow and provide quality education.
By a vote of 564 to 327, a proposition to issue bonds in the amount of $23,970,000 was approved.
That is 63.3 percent yes votes versus 36.7 no votes.
For a bond of this nature, state law requires 60 percent of voters to say yes.
“In today’s world, 63 percent is a large majority,” said Superintendent Monty Guthrie.
Guthrie expressed relief and gratitude for the passage of the proposition.
“I am thrilled that the community stepped up,” he said. “Really thrilled to continue to get the support. This is a great community. They support our school and our kids in so many ways.”
Several members of the community volunteered to serve on a planning committee that met many times over the past several months, deciding what was most important for the school.
Among them were Sterling Atwood, Pee-Wee Chiles, Lori Curtis, Janette Davis, Rachell Jones, Lesa King, Jill McLaughlin, Zach Mc-Quay and Jason Stockton.
“So many people played important roles. Our planning committee put in a lot of time and effort. They listened to people out in the community,” Guthrie said. “We moved forward with the idea we were going to do all we could do to meet as many needs as we could at the current tax rate. That was our goal, and I think we did a good job.”
With the extensive planning, the committee was able to develop an ambitious plan without an increase in taxes.
“They certainly deserve credit. All played a part. We tried to listen to everyone,” Guthrie said.
“One of the biggest obstacles to overcome during the campaign to convince people to approve the proposal was a misconception of what it was all about.”
“The hardest thing was the perception it was all about sports. It was not all about sports,” he said.
Sports was an element – the football field will get artificial turf.
“But the band was as excited about the artificial turf as the football players,” Guthrie said.
Currently, the band practices in the parking lot, which is not level.
With the artificial turf, they will be able to practice on the football field year-round.
An event center at the high school will provide a first-class basketball facility, while maintaining the old gym to enhance current programs and allow for the possibility for the addition of other programs in the future.
The facility will be used to host basketball games, band concerts, graduations, and other events.
It will be a multi-purpose building that can be used by the community for events, as well.
Expanded cafeterias at the schools will end the students having to eat in shifts.
“Anyone who has been to the high school at lunch knows we don’t have enough dining area. The same with the elementary school,” Guthrie said.
A wing will be added to the middle school to enable the fifth grade to move to the middle school, which will ease the crowding of the elementary school and the elementary school cafeteria.
The district anticipates a growth in enrollment as the community grows with an expanding business community, which includes a casino scheduled to open at the end of the year.
Hopefully, the improvements at the schools will attract more students.
“School funding is based on average daily attendance,” he noted.
On Wednesday, the day after the election, Guthrie began sending out thank-you letters and contacting architects and construction management.
“We will get everyone at the table again and start setting timelines and dates,” he said.
He said there is already a blueprint, “but there is an incredible amount of engineering and architectural work to be done over the next several months.”
He doesn’t expect the first bond to be sold until July.
“No money will be available until then,” Guthrie said.
It probably will be the Fall before any construction takes place.
Then probably 18 months of inconvenience.
“There’s no way it’s not going to create inconvenience. Progress always does. But we will adapt, make it work. It will be worth the inconvenience.”
