Approving $142M Bond Important For Bixby Schools Dealing With Cuts

School districts all over Oklahoma are facing multi-million dollar cuts because of state funding issues. Those cuts come as Bixby prepares to vote on a nearly $143 million school bond issue.

Thursday was the first of two public meetings to explain the bond. While the district is working to figure out how to make state-mandated cuts, approving the bond is even more important.

In less than a month, people living in Bixby will vote on the new $142 million bond issue for district expansion.

District records show the schools grow, on average, three percent a year; that's why most of the bond will center on construction.

In front of a group of teachers and parents, Superintendent Dr. Kyle Wood explained why approving the bond needs to happen.

"We are just running out of classrooms space. We know in the next ten years we're really gonna run out of classroom space,” he said.

All over Oklahoma school districts face mandatory cuts. Wood said while the schools could lose salaries and programs, it has nothing to do with the bond.

“One of the things that frequently asked of us, why don't we use bond money to help offset losses in state revenue hiring teachers, paying salaries giving teachers a raise for example," Wood said.

He said bonds can't fix the state cuts, but they can help meet students’ needs.

The bond issue will be voted on February 9. You'll be able to vote at your regular polling location.

You can find the full bond issue information here.