Tulsa Public Schools holding a school bond issue election today

A vote that means millions for Tulsa Public Schools. Tulsans will vote on a $162-million bond issue today. <br/><br/>News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson says the marquee at the Tulsa Public Schoolâ€™s Education

Monday, November 7th 2005, 10:39 am

By: News On 6

A vote that means millions for Tulsa Public Schools. Tulsans will vote on a $162-million bond issue today.

News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson says the marquee at the Tulsa Public Schoolâ€™s Education Service Center has a message that is trying to get as many people as possible to get out and vote on this bond issue.

The $162 million bond is divided into four separate propositions. The biggest slice is for construction. Out of that, Webster High School would get money to build a new kitchen, cafeteria, and library. Four schools would get elevators. 14 schools would be partially renovated, and three more would be "totally" renovated.

Memorial High School is one of those schools waiting for a total renovation. Staff members say birds fly in from outside, and end up between the school's roof and classroom ceiling tiles. The bond would put a new roof on the school, and pay for major cosmetic upgrades inside.

The school's cutting-edge robotics program would get a new facility large enough to house their biggest projects. The football field Memorial shares with Edison and three middle schools would get artificial turf.

Memorial parent Kathryn Flesher says the bond will help pay for something the school needs most - an upgrade in heating and air conditioning. "Right now, our heating and air - yes, it's hot and its cold - but you never know when it's going to be hot or cold."

If the bond passes, Memorial would get almost $9-million. Flesher says construction could begin as soon as school lets out for the summer.

Polls are open until 7 PM.

Jenks, Okemah, Oak Grove, and Allen-Bowden Schools all have bond issue votes scheduled for Tuesday. Folks in Sand Springs will vote on city bonds.

Other elections are scheduled in Broken Arrow, Okmulgee, Sallisaw and in Rogers, Creek, Ottawa, Haskell, Payne, and Muskogee counties.