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Tuesday the Superintendent of Barnsdall Public Schools Jeff Lay held several public forums for parents as well as Barnsdall residents. While much the forum focused on the upcoming bond proposal, Lay also discussed testing and funding. Lay highlighted that parents should not be concerned when they receive their students testing scores as this was the first year to test under the new Oklahoma standard. He also emphasized the current budget and funding issues the school is facing, specifically because of state funding cuts. However it was discussion regarding the upcoming proposed bond that stole the show.

Lay wished to express that the new bond proposal will focus on maintenance rather than new construction. While there will be some new buildings on the Barnsdall campus if the bond passes the focus will be on resolving the schools number one concern, water.

If the bond passes the campus would see all of the remaining buildings undergoing repairs. Two building would be demolished, the current student activity center and a rock building which is no longer safe for use. The campus would also lose the tennis courts and outdoor basket ball courts, neither of which have been maintained. The bond would also see the construction of a new sports facility with a weight room, mat room for wrestling and cheer, as well as dressing rooms and locker rooms for both home and away athletes. The existing “old indoor pool building” would become the new student activity center, Family and Consumer Sciences Building, and administrative office. At the time of the meeting there was not a speculated cost for the bond proposal, however Lay stated it would be similar to the previous bond at 5 million dollars.

Lay will announce another public forum once they have received the finalized plans from Keith D. Robertson Architects and construction cost estimates. Currently the bond is proposed to be on the ballot for Barnsdall residents on February 13, 2018.