The Caddo Hills School District will host the first of four informational meetings regarding the proposed bond initiative Thursday, January 6, at the Old Norman High School. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.
Meetings will also be held at Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, Sulpher Springs Baptist Church and Caddo Hills High School Cafeteria. All meetings will begin at 6 p.m.
Superintendent Deric Owens would like to invite everyone to attend any, or all of the scheduled meetings. The purpose of the meetings is to educate the residents of the Caddo Hills School District about the bond initiative.
Other meeting times and locations include:
January 23 – Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church (6 p.m.)
February 6 – Sulpher Springs Baptist Church (6 p.m.)
February 17 – Caddo Hills High School Cafeteria (6 p.m.)
The school district announced they would be seeking the bond initiative late last year. Superintendent Owens will share information on the bond itself, as well as improvements funded by monies generated by extending the current bond.
At a meeting held Thursday, January 9, at the high school cafeteria Owens stated that the bond initiative will not increase anyone’s taxes. Currently residents living in the Caddo Hills School District pay 33.8 mils in property taxes. The current bond has seven years left on the life of the bond. The new bond initiative would only extend the length of time the school would be making a bond payment.
Superintendent Owens stated at the meeting that the new bond initiative would generate approximately $1.8 million that would be used to fund construction projects at the school. Projects would include removing the stage area in the cafeteria and a classroom behind the stage. This would allow for an 1,840 square foot expansion for the dining area.
The stage and classroom would be relocated to the PE Gym behind the high school campus. An additional 4,900 square feet of space would be added to the gym to make room for the stage, dressing rooms, a classroom, storage and bathrooms. It would also include an enclosed entry to the gym.
Owens stated that he believes the way information is listed on the ballot could be confusing to some people. The ballot will ask people to “Vote For Tax,” or “Vote Against Tax.” Voting for the tax will not increase the amount of taxes paid and voting against it will not lower anyone’s taxes.
Owens stated all he wants to do is to present the facts to the community so they can make an informed decision.
For more information please call (870) 356-5700.
